Bordeaux’s Haut-Médoc makes some of the world’s finest wines and three of the best – Premiers Grands Crus Classés – lie in Pauillac. This château isn’t Cru Classé but it’s a fine claret, now with 7 years age, and showing lovely cedary fruit maturity.
On Bordeaux’s Left Bank, in the heart of the Haut-Médoc, Pauillac is one of the most sought-after appellations for fine, muscular, long-aged claret. It boasts three Premiers Grands Crus Classés, namely Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite and Latour. Château Haut-Pauillac belongs to the Peyronnie family and boasts vineyards dotted between some of the finest estates – vines planted on gravel soils, enjoying a climate moderated by their proximity to the Gironde estuary. Largely Cabernet Sauvignon, softened by a little Merlot, the wine was aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 15-20% of which were new. To enjoy this fine claret, open an hour beforehand and decant. A superb red to serve with your finest red meat dishes or a choice of firm farmhouse cheeses.