Viniou Reviews
Château Pailhas 2000 is a red wine from the prestigious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, located in the Libournais subregion of Bordeaux. This vintage is primarily crafted from Merlot, which dominates the right bank blends, with supporting roles from Cabernet Franc and sometimes a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. The year 2000 is renowned for its exceptional quality across Bordeaux, benefiting from a warm, balanced growing season that allowed perfect ripeness. Château Pailhas, like many grand crus in Saint-Émilion, tends to favour meticulous hand-harvesting and careful vinification, often involving temperature-controlled fermentation and generous time in French oak barrels, which impart complexity, structure, and aromatic nuance to the finished wine.
Saint-Émilion, the region of origin, is one of Bordeaux’s oldest and most storied wine-producing areas, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The terroir is a rich tapestry of limestone, clay, and gravel soils, giving wines remarkable depth, finesse, and ageing potential. The moderate maritime climate is tempered by the proximity to the Dordogne river, which reduces risks of frost and helps regulate temperatures throughout the growing season. Historically, Saint-Émilion has been famed for its early embrace of Merlot, a grape that thrives on the region’s cool, moisture-retentive clay and limestone soils, producing wines of opulence, plushness, and longevity.
As a mature Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Château Pailhas 2000 unveils layers of black plum, fig, cedar, cigar box and truffle, underpinned by soft tannins and a long, savoury finish. It pairs beautifully with classic dishes such as roast lamb, beef Wellington, or duck breast with a cherry sauce. For local flavour, try it alongside entrecôte à la bordelaise or a rich mushroom fricassée. Mature hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda also make a superb match.
For optimal enjoyment, serve Château Pailhas 2000 at 17-18°C. Allow the bottle to stand upright for several hours before opening if sediment is present, and consider decanting 30 minutes prior to serving to enhance its aromatic complexity. This wine, now in its prime, offers a captivating expression of Saint-Émilion’s elegance and depth.
