Solid

 

Claret was once clairette.  Well, at least we were told so.  That’s how the Bordeaux red wine drinkers enjoyed it.  Nowadays, Bordeaux wines are far more substantial than those of Burgundy.  They are masculine and Burgundy is feminine.  Maybe there will be a return to greater elegance and lighter wines in the future

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The 2010 Ch. de Pez St Estephe comes from a more challenging year.  Cool, late and where the Cabernet Sauvignon was much compromised.  Merlot fared better.  The commune of St Estephe seems to turn out fulsome, robust, solid and grunty wines.  This wine is absolutely typical.  It’s solid and isn’t a wine of finesse.  Bold dark plum flavours, Merlot for sure, with tannins that take over.  If you like size without much elegance, this is the one for you.  With this structure, I prefer more sweetness and finer grained extraction.  I often look forward to a return to clairette.  But solid size wins out now.