Wines Pauillac Les Clos du Pauillac - 2011

Viniou Reviews

Les Clos du Pauillac 2011 is a classic expression of the Pauillac AOC, one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated appellations. Crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, with supporting roles from Merlot and sometimes Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, this wine benefits from a 2011 vintage marked by a challenging growing season that ultimately yielded elegant and structured reds. The Médoc’s gravelly soils are perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, providing excellent drainage and heat retention that promote even ripening. The vinification for Pauillac reds traditionally involves careful maceration and ageing in oak barrels, often for 12-18 months, which imparts subtle notes of vanilla, cedar, and spice to complement the wine’s blackcurrant, plum, and graphite profile.

Pauillac lies on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary, an area steeped in wine history and renowned for producing some of the world’s finest and most age-worthy reds. The region benefits from a temperate maritime climate, with oceanic breezes moderating temperature extremes and reducing the risk of frost and mildew. The gravelly soils, interspersed with layers of clay and sand, help create powerful yet refined wines with pronounced tannic structures and impressive ability to age. The reputation of Pauillac rests on its ability to combine ripeness and finesse, giving rise to wines of depth, complexity, and longevity.

A wine like Les Clos du Pauillac 2011 shines alongside classic French cuisine, particularly dishes highlighting red meats and richly flavoured sauces. Consider pairing it with entrecôte bordelaise, roast lamb with herbs, or duck breast with a blackberry reduction. It also shows beautifully with aged hard cheeses, such as Comté or Ossau-Iraty, as well as regional specialties like cèpes sautéed with garlic.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this Pauillac at 16-18°C after allowing it to breathe in a decanter for at least an hour. This will help soften the tannins and allow the bouquet to unfurl, revealing all the nuanced complexity the wine has to offer.