From: Bordeaux, France
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc
Taste: The 2020 Chateau Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Its brilliant gold-tinted hue captivates the eye with complex nose. The supple entry on the palate leads to a refined mid-palate enriched with ripe fruit, culminating in a smooth finish that lingers. It has a welcoming aroma of honeyed pineapple, subtle grapefruit, lemon curd, and a captivating undercurrent of chalky minerality. Its bright green and citrus fruits are harmoniously interwoven with the nuances of wood aging, resulting in a vivid, taut texture.
Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded the 2020 Chateau Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan Blanc an impressive 92 points, extolling its fruity nose of pineapple, green mangoes, and lime curd. This Sauvignon Blanc captivates with a creamy, juicy core of tropical fruit, making it an excellent choice for immediate enjoyment.
Pairing: When it comes to pairings, the wine's versatility shines. Creamy dishes such as risotto and fettuccine, along with mild curries, find an ideal companion in this exquisite white Bordeaux. Moreover, its affinity for seafood, grilled fish, and delicate poultry makes it a delightful choice for discerning palates seeking to explore culinary delights.
Spinach Crepes With Smoked Salmon And Cream Cheese
By Florence Fabricant
About. “Once the very heart of the Bordeaux vineyard, the “Graves de Bordeaux” used to surround the city. Picque Caillou today remains one of the last bastions standing up to an all-consuming urban development that holds no respect for soils or history.”
- Chateau Picque Callou
At the entrance to Bordeaux, within the captivating embrace of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, lies the distinguished Château Picque Caillou. This illustrious 26-hectare vineyard stands as a lasting legacy of Bordeaux's winemaking tradition and is a close neighbor to the esteemed Haut-Brion and Pape Clément châteaux.
The vineyards date back centuries, with their presence documented on maps from the late 18th century by cartographers Cassini and Belleyme. The chateau itself was designed by the renowned architect Jean Laclotte in 1756, and its history has been intertwined with the evolution of Bordeaux's winemaking heritage.
The current custodians of this storied estate, Isabelle and Paulin Calvet, have infused new life into Château Picque Caillou since their acquisition in 1997. With a lineage of Bordeaux wine merchants, Paulin Calvet's dedication to quality has propelled the estate to new heights. In collaboration with consultant oenologist Valérie Lavigne, the team focuses on showcasing the wine's pedigree, elegance, and purity while preserving its inherent fruit character and balance.
Château Picque Caillou draws its name from its pebbly terroir, a reflection of its origins as a riverbed that was formed millions of years ago by the Garonne River's ancient currents. The free-draining nature of the gravel and subsoil imparts a unique grassy freshness and wet-stone minerality, balanced by a substantial weight that gives the wine a sense of substance and depth.
The terroir itself is a reflection of the area's unique conditions. The fast-draining gravel soils and the warming influence of the urban environment result in an early start to the vine-growing season. These gravelly soils encourage the vines to establish deep-rooting systems in the almost infertile subsoil, contributing to the distinct expression of the wine.