Château Penin - Les Cailloux 2017

Patrick Carteyron is one of the leading figures in the vast Bordeaux appellation. He has made his Château Penin a benchmark across various appellations, wine colors, and vintages. The family-run estate has grown from 13 hectares in 1854 to 40 hectares today. The red wines—and especially the fine cuvées, Les Cailloux and Grande Sélection—are produced on a stony Quaternary terroir, the estate’s most prestigious. The more common sandy and clay soils are reserved for producing delicious rosés and clairets. Year after year, the clairet remains “the” benchmark for this appellation. Here you’ll find a wide range of wines at every price point, all focused on fruit, quality tannins, and freshness—including charming, full-bodied whites and rosés, and the famous clairet, as mentioned, with its consistently vibrant fruit, which has built the estate’s reputation. The reds are richly fruity and pleasing, particularly the ever-vibrant Grande-Sélection cuvée.

Remarkable for its complexity and elegance, this cuvée stands out for its profile that is both refined and powerful. Deep aromas of blackcurrant and pepper are complemented by subtle, spicy oak notes. Here, the oak enhances the wine: the tannins from the oak staves lend the palate a silky texture and blend seamlessly with a vibrant fruitiness on the finish.

One of the most reliable names among regional appellations, with several “ Favorites ” awards to its credit. A 50-hectare vineyard situated on gravelly soil on the left bank of the Dordogne, across from Saint-Émilion. Founded by the Carteyron family in 1855, it has been managed since 1982 by Patrick, an oenologist.

Rated HVE3, this wine is one of the finest examples of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur. Penin is refining its lineup by focusing on limestone and gravel soils, while retaining the finesse of a fruit profile that appeals to a wide audience. Under the “Natur’” label, the estate produces a rosé, a clairet, and a red, thereby shaking up the conventions of classic Bordeaux to some extent.

A woody but not overpowering nose; a rich, indulgent palate; good length; and crisp tannins.

A real success. The lingering aroma on the finish is particularly noteworthy.