Description

You are bidding on one Magnum (150cl) bottle of Chateau Pipeau Grand Cru Saint Emilion, 1979 - this wine has been professionally cellared until recently where it is currently being stored in my temperature controlled cellar at home.

Grape varieties : Cabernet-franc, Cabernet-sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot

Produced in the Bordeaux region in France, by Château Pipeau. This 1979 vintage comes from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. It is sold for €84.00 per bottle of 75cl in France.

Managed by Jean Mestreguilhem, the current owner and directors of the property. Chateau Pipeau takes its name from the meaning of the French term for a reed pipe. The large, 25 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Pipeau is planted to 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The terroir is sand, gravel and clay soils with deep iron oxides. The climate is continental, which is supported by the presence of two rivers, the Dordogne and the Isle.
They have parcels of land in a myriad of different locations in the Saint Emilion appellation, which in some vintages can make it difficult to harvest grapes fully ripened, across the board.

The vineyard has old vines, with an average vine age of close to 30 years. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,600 vines per hectare. The vineyards are harvested using a machine currently but back in 1979 the harvesting was done by hand.

To produce the new wines of Chateau Pipeau, the wines are vinified in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks. Although, in this 1979 vintage this method was not used and the more traditional method of oak vats were used. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats The wine is then aged in an average of 70% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 14 months before bottling.

Chateau Pipeau is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Pipeau is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Chateau Pipeau is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.
In the best vintages, Chateau Pipeau can offer a charming, easy drinking wine with a forward character for a fair price.

Wine Advocate 88 points - 88-90 - Pipeau is a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc matured in 80% new oak. It has a clean and pure black cherry and cassis-scented bouquet that is neatly embroidered with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied, svelte and smooth in the mouth, yes, a little oaky and obvious, but there is the fruit to back it up. This is a guilty pleasure. I would like to smack its wrist for being too oaky, but it feels balanced and I have little doubt that after 3-4 years, it could turn out delicious!  (Apr 2016)

Decanter 93 points - WORLD WINE AWARDS 2018 (SILVER):  (May 2018)

James Suckling 93 points - Plush, dark berries and plums here. This has a wealth of every attractive, rich and ripe fruit on offer. The palate has a creamy and silky feel to it. A long and ribbon-like finish. Drink or hold. (Feb 2018).

Best to Decanter a good 2/3 hours before consumption.

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