Château Pitray 2022 from the Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation is a classic red wine from the famed Right Bank region. Predominantly Merlot-based, complemented by Cabernet Franc and sometimes a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 vintage is already shaping up to be expressive and approachable thanks to favourable weather conditions throughout the growing season. The château is noted for its refined winemaking, blending careful extraction with gentle oak ageing to highlight the natural fruit and savoury character of its grapes. Expect aromas and flavours of ripe black cherry, plum, soft spice, and a delicate minerality, supported by well-integrated tannins and a fresh acidity that speaks to the quality of both fruit and terroir.
The Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux lies just east of Saint-Émilion and shares many of its illustrious neighbour's climatic and geological advantages. This area benefits from a temperate maritime climate, ensuring mild winters and warm summers moderated by Atlantic breezes, which helps preserve acidity in the grapes. The soils are a mosaic of limestone, clay and some sandy patches, ideal for Merlot, which thrives here to produce plush, deeply-coloured wines with both structure and suppleness. The region has a long winemaking history dating back to Roman times and is increasingly recognised for delivering excellent quality at more accessible prices compared to other prominent Bordeaux appellations.
For food pairings, Château Pitray 2022’s supple texture and vibrant fruit profile make it a natural match for a range of dishes. Traditional Bordelais fare such as entrecôte à la bordelaise (ribeye with red wine and shallot sauce) or magret de canard (duck breast) would be beautiful, but it also pairs well with roast lamb, game birds, grilled mushrooms or hard cheeses like Comté. Its versatility works with both simple home-cooked meals and more elaborate recipes.
For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for about half an hour before serving to let its aromas unfurl fully. Serve at around 16-18°C to preserve both its freshness and aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now for its youthful fruit, or cellared for several years to allow further development of its secondary and tertiary flavours.
