Chateau Petit Bocq
Saint Estephe 2012

Chateau Petit Bocq is a little gem within the commune of Saint Estephe. It owns 90 separate vineyard plots, amounting to some 19 hectares from the far north to the furthest south of the commune. Average vine age is about 40 years old and planted to a density of 8333 plants per hectare (1 metre between vines and 1 between rows). Most of the vineyard soils are gravel, but there is about 10% clay. Because of the slightly cooler climate of Saint Estephe, and the higher proportion of clay, compared with other left bank communes, like Pauillac, Saint Julien and Margaux, Saint Estephe tends to have more Merlot planted. Petit Bocq is no exception, with about half of its vineyard area planted to Merlot. The winery uses no pesticides or herbicides and only organic fertilizers.

Grapes were handpicked quite late, between October 1 and 16. All picking was done by hand which allowed for an initial sortation in the field and a second in the winery. There was a cold soak before fermentation which helps to enhance aromas, before traditional, spontaneous fermentation in large oak vats with natural, wild yeasts. After fermentation, the wine was put into small oak barriques for 16 months (the winery uses barrels from more than a dozen different coopers). About 40% of the barrels were new, with the remainder 2nd and 3rd year. This imparts significant oak character into the wine which requires considerable bottle age to allow it to integrate with the core of fruit.

The 2012 vintage is a great treat. When it was first bottled, it was precocious, with the dense and ripe fruit almost totally overwhelmed by the typical Saint Estephe tannins. And the generally reputation of 2012 did not make the wine easy to sell either. However, those producers, like Petit Bocq, with a higher proportion of Merlot tended to perform much better in this vintage. Over time the wine has, as often happens with vintages instantly panned as “difficult”, exceeded expectations. The tannins, though still quite powerful, have begun to soften and make room for the wine’s lovely black fruit core. Ripe blackberry, cassis and dried blueberries dominate the nose, with iodine, clove and baking spices still playing a strong supporting role. Some humus and wet leaves give some evidence of the wine’s age. On the palate, there is excellent density, yet a freshness that one should expect from the cooler 2012. The tannins are powerful but enveloping and suave. There is a very long toasty finish.

Drink now and over the next 5 years. Pair with Filet Mignon, roast lamb or mushroom dishes