Château Pédesclaux
Château Pédesclaux could be one of Pauillac’sbest-kept secrets. In a blind tasting in 2005, this Fifth Growth came out on par with Mouton and Pichon-Baron. It has changed hands since then, and is now owned by the Lorenzetti family, who have almost doubled the size of the vineyard to 50 hectares in prime Pauillac holdings and significantly modernised the estate including a purpose built, gravity-fed winery. Since 2019 it has been certified organic and there are some plots which are being farmed biodynamically. It’s name comes from its founder, Pierre Urbain Pédesclaux, who acquired vineyards when they were sold off following the French Revolution. He built a winery on the land which at the time totalled around 7 hectares. Emmanuel Cruse (owner of Château d’Issan) manages the estate while Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen oversees the winemaking. With Mouton and Pontet-Canet as its nearest neighbours and such committed investors at its helm, Pédesclaux is definitely an estate to watch.