IIRC this is the first time I have had a 100% varietal Petit Verdot. As most wine lovers know, it enters in very small proportions into the Médoc Bordeaux blend to bring more colour and structure. Here is an explanation in Le Figaro Vin which I find useful -
Le petit verdot est un cépage de maturité tardive, il apporte au vin une couleur intense, une richesse tannique, et une puissance aromatique caractérisée par la violette. Il entre dans l’assemblage des plus grands domaines comme celui du Château Lafite Rotschild.
Insensible à la pourriture, le petit verdot est toujours vendangé en dernier, pour parfaire les plus délicats assemblages. Sa culture est aujourd’hui en régression et ne concerne que quelques centaines d’hectares mais il figure encore dans les plus grands crus classés du Médoc.Paraphrase =
"PV is a late maturing variety which brings deep colour, rich tannins and powerful aromas of violet to the most delicate blends. It is not subject to rot and is harvested last. Its cultivation is declining but is still found in the leading GCCs in Médoc"This one comes from Languedoc and it is probable that the Mediterranean climate makes for a better balanced 100% varietal wine than would be possible in the Bordeaux region.
2016 Domaine Preignes Le Vieux Petit Verdot Vin de Pays d'Oc - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc (10/18/2018)This is an unusual wine but very enjoyable. Dark coloured, full bodied, generous full of bramble and blackcurrant fruit with an attractive background taste which I find hard to describe (the back label suggests almonds and coconut??), lively non-astringent acidity and firm ripe structure. Not sure that I want it every day but I'll certainly buy more if I have recorded its price, 9€, correctly. Good+.
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