Château Petit-Village, `Le Petit de Petit-Village` Pomerol
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | PV101B20 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
| 2020 | PV101M20 | 1 x 150 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Château Petit-Village is situated in the heart of Pomerol, next door to Vieux Château Certan and Château Le Pin. The estate has benefitted from significant investment in both the vineyards and the winery over the last two decades, particularly since being acquired by the Moulin family in 2020.
The estate’s 10.5 hectares of vines are planted with 75% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. They are located at the highest point of Pomerol on deep gravel soils made up of quartz and flint, layered over an iron-rich clay subsoil known as ‘crasse de fer’. These typically have better drainage than clay-based soils, making them warmer than other Pomerol sites and helping the vines achieve balance even in wet, cool years. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, with ‘Haute Valeur Environnementale’ certification, and are currently in the process of organic conversion. Cover crops are planted between vine rows to improve soil structure and boost biodiversity. Year-round, a dedicated team works to encourage lower yields and greater concentration in the grapes through careful pruning, leaf stripping and green harvesting.
Technical director Guillaume Frédoux heads up the winemaking team, working closely with famed consultants Stéphane Derenoncourt and Marielle Cazeaux. As in the vineyards, the winery has received significant investment, including the construction of a new barrel cellar, new fermentation vats, and the introduction of amphorae for ageing certain wines.
Château Petit-Village is made from a blend of 71% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc aged in oak barrels, of which 50% are new, for 15 months. From the 2020 vintage, the estate has added a new wine to their range, replacing ‘Le Jardin de Petit-Village’ with ‘Le Petit de Petit-Village’ as their second wine. ‘Le Petit de Petit-Village’ is more immediately approachable than the Grand Vin and intended for earlier drinking. It is made from 100% Merlot, sourced from 35-year-old vines, and aged for 16 months in a combination of new French oak barrels and amphorae. The result is a classic, fruit-forward expression brimming with plum and black cherry aromas on the nose, complemented by quintessentially plush Pomerol tannins.
Vineyards
Fruit for the Le Petit de Petit-Village comes from a 10.5-hectare plot of 35-year-old Merlot vines in Pomerol. The vines are double guyot trained and planted on deep clay gravel soils on the Plateau de Catusseau. These typically have better drainage than clay soils, making them warmer than other Pomerol sites and helping the vines achieve balance even in wet, cool years. The vineyard is farmed organically is midway through the process of becoming officially certified organic.
Vintage
The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux was one of the earliest harvests in recent decades. The vintage began with a mild winter, followed by a wet and cold spring. Budburst occurred earlier than usual in mid-March and flowering and fruit set took place under optimal conditions in mid-May. The ripening process was accelerated by an exceptionally hot summer, though cooler nights ensured that the grapes still retained refreshing acidity and aromatics. Harvest at Château Petit-Village began on 9th September and ended on 23rd September and the grapes harvested were excellent quality.
Vinification
Upon arrival at the winery, the hand-harvested Merlot grapes were destemmed and underwent a rigorous sorting by individual berry. The berries were crushed and underwent a cool pre-fermentation maceration to extract smooth tannins before undergoing fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 16 months, 50% in new French oak barrels from six different cooperages, the remaining 50% in clay amphorae.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Deep ruby in colour. The Petit de Petit-Village is brimming with ripe plum and black cherry aromas on the nose with subtle notes of spice. On the palate it has quintessentially plush Pomerol tannins and a bright acidity which carries the flavours onto the juicy finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Acidity
2.72 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.65 g/l
pH
3.77
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Château Petit-Village | Pomerol | PV102 | R |