Château de Pitray Les Prairies 2022
The Château de Pitray Les Prairies is a wonderfully approachable Bordeaux red wine that beautifully captures the historic, sustainably farmed terroir of the estate. Grown on a superb clay-limestone plateau just east of Saint-Émilion, the vines thrive without the use of herbicides, surrounded by protected oak forests and meadows. These deep soils act like a sponge, retaining water so the vines never suffer from stress, ensuring the grapes ripen perfectly and maintain a brilliant natural balance even in warmer years. Crafted under the expert guidance of consultant winemaker Nina Mitjavile, this specific release is a careful blend heavily led by Merlot, supported by Cabernet Franc and a small touch of Malbec. To keep the profile incredibly fresh and fruit-forward, the majority of the wine rests in stainless steel tanks for a year. The remaining third is aged gently in one-year-old oak barrels, a clever technique that adds a beautifully round, creamy texture to the palate without masking the natural flavours of the grapes. In the glass, this Castillon red is brilliantly supple and inviting. It delivers generous layers of ripe dark plums and cherries, followed by a fascinating hint of savoury black tea and beautifully soft, elegant tannins. It is a fantastic bottle to enjoy alongside a Sunday roast, grilled meats, or mushroom dishes. As a lovely final touch, the bold, simple label adorning the bottle is a direct reproduction of an original 1870 design that the family uncovered hidden deep within their ancient cellars.
