A Bordeaux Superieur with a Generous and Smooth Palate
The
Bordeaux Superieur property
Chateau Peyfaures was first established in the year 1830 in the hamlet of Genissac in eastern Entre-deux-Mers, across the Dordogne from Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. The vines are grown in soils of clay-limestone. They are cultivated with
biodynamic and organic viticultural practices. This Bordeaux Superieur estate seeks to return to traditional Bordelais winemaking, which was popular before modern practices arrived. After being picked by hand, the grapes get crushed inside a basket press. Then, spontaneous fermentation takes place with 100% autochthonous yeasts occurring naturally on the fruit. Chateau Peyfaures follows a minimal intervention and parcel-by-parcel approach, as a way to let the vineyard shine through. The Chateau Peyfaures Dame de Coeur bottling is made from a particularly
impressive old block of Merlot, which is then blended with
Cabernet Franc. This wine is aged in
100% new French oak barrels for 18 months and full malolactic takes place in the barrel.
The
Dame de Coeur du Chateau Peyfaures 2012 blends
90% Merlot from the estate's oldest vines with
10% Cabernet Franc. The quality of the latter was quite nice in the 2012 vintage, adding a certain gravelly minerality to the ample fruit of the Merlot. In the glass, the 2012 vintage shows off an
opulent purple color. The nose of this Bordeaux Superieur expresses
rich and luscious red and black fruit, as well as
toasted bread, mocha, cocoa and almond aromas. Nutty notes and spicy touches come through from the oak aging. From the entry to the finish, this wine displays
complex, layered flavors and a
smooth mouthfeel, with tannins that are well-rounded and well-integrated. This is a wine that is definitely charming and fruit-forward in its youth but that will also age gracefully in the cellar.
