2016 Chateau Le Pey

Deep ruby in the glass, this classic Médoc claret greets you with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, cedar, and warm spice, lifted by hints of graphite and tobacco leaf. The palate is polished and poised with layers of dark berry fruit and plum framed by supple tannins and a fine, savoury edge. The 55% Cabernet Sauvignon brings backbone and depth, while the 45% Merlot rounds things out with smooth texture and ripe fruit. Aged 12 months in oak (25% new), it’s full, balanced, and quietly sophisticated, the sort of wine that makes you remember why Bordeaux became timeless.

For when: the fire’s crackling and dinner’s taking its time.
Pairs with: roast beef, venison stew, or aged Comté.
If this wine were a person, it’d have a firm handshake and impeccable manners.

Situated just north of Saint-Estèphe, Château Le Pey is one of the oldest estates owned by the Compagnet family and proudly part of the Cru Bourgeois Alliance since 2003. Its clay and limestone soils and 20-year-old vines yield wines that balance structure with plush, approachable fruit. With 32 hectares under vine, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the château captures the essence of northern Médoc terroir: bold yet measured, refined yet generous. The 2016 vintage, from one of Bordeaux’s greatest years, showcases Le Pey’s hallmark style: classic, confident, and unmistakably Médoc.