Château Pibran 2020

Château Pibran is a nineteenth-century Pauillac estate in Bordeaux with 17 hectares of vineyards, farmed sustainably by the team that runs Château Pichon Baron. Pauillac's classic terroir is deep gravel over clay and limestone, mounded into gentle rises that drain freely and warm quickly, forcing the vines to root deep and giving Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot their power and firm tannin. The gravel also radiates stored heat at night, helping the fruit ripen fully in this maritime climate. After fermentation the blend ages 18 months in French oak barrels, a portion new, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood polymerises the tannins into a finer texture and adds cedar, cocoa and light spice. The wine is deep ruby to garnet. The nose shows blackcurrant, black cherry and plum over cedar, tobacco and a graphite edge. The palate is full bodied and structured, with concentrated dark fruit, firm, grippy tannins and a long, savoury finish built to age. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant for one to two hours. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and game.