Chateau Pitray 2016
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James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Dark purplish crimson. Light aromas, yet a very solid palate. Thick, marked tannins and no shortage of acidity but a slight shortage of fruit in the middle. Very edgy.
Blend: 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of glossy, spicy oak and plush, ripe dark plums with hazelnut and tarry nuances, too. The flavorful palate delivers in assertive and bold style with a juicy and intense surge of fruit, holding long into the finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
A concentrated wine from the Pitray family, who fought in the American Revolution, this has bold tannins and the potential for rich fruit. A powerful wine, it shows plenty of spice as well as ripe black-currant flavors and acidity.
Editor's Choice
Other Vintages
2020-
Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Though the region is larger than many of its Right Bank neighbors, it is one that consistently produces high quality, well-valued red wines. In fact, Cotes de Castillon can almost be considered a geographical eastern extension of St. Emilion, producing similarly-fashioned reds based on Merlot.
Vineyards in the region’s clay, limestone and sandstone soils produce sturdy red wines. On alluvial terraces, in vineyards closer to the Dordogne River, wines tend to be more supple and fruity. In either case, a great Cotes de Castillon red will be bursting with raspberry, plum and blueberry, have an enticing bouquet of dried flowers and a finish that is plush and opulent.