Chateau de Pressac 2016 3 litres

The Estate

Château de Pressac — Historic Saint-Émilion Estate

Château de Pressac stands as one of the oldest estates in Saint-Émilion, with viticultural roots extending back to the 15th century. The property takes its name from Amanieu de Pressac, a knight who owned the land in 1453, and the estate has been meticulously restored and revitalized under the stewardship of the Cloquet family since 1997. Today, under the direction of Jean-François Quenin, Château de Pressac has emerged as one of the Right Bank’s most exciting modern properties, combining historical heritage with contemporary winemaking precision.

The 42-hectare estate is classified as a Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion, producing wines of remarkable consistency and elegance that reflect both the unique limestone-clay terroir and the dedication to sustainable viticultural practices. This impressive 3-litre Jeroboam format—equivalent to four standard bottles—offers collectors an exceptional ageing vessel that develops complexity with remarkable grace over decades in the cellar.

This Lot

Available as 3 litres (Jeroboam) — ideal for collectors and long-term cellaring.

Terroir & Grapes

Limestone Plateau and Clay-Limestone Slopes

The vineyards of Château de Pressac benefit from an exceptional position on the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau, with vines planted on a mosaic of clay-limestone and sandy-gravel soils that impart both power and finesse to the wines. This diversity of terroir allows for the cultivation of multiple Bordeaux varieties, each finding its ideal expression in specific parcels across the estate. The combination of excellent drainage from the limestone bedrock and the water retention of the clay creates optimal conditions for phenolic ripeness even in challenging vintages.

Vinification & Ageing

Precision Winemaking with Respect for Terroir

Each parcel at Château de Pressac is vinified separately to preserve the individual character of the terroir, with meticulous attention paid to extraction levels and fermentation temperatures. The estate employs both temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats, allowing for gentle extraction that preserves fruit purity while building structure and depth. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel, promoting integration of oak and wine from the earliest stages.

The final blend is aged for approximately 14 to 16 months in French oak barriques, with a judicious proportion of new wood that supports rather than dominates the fruit expression. This élevage period allows the tannins to soften and integrate, creating wines of remarkable harmony that express the elegance and mineral backbone characteristic of Saint-Émilion’s finest terroirs.

Vintage Character

2016 — A Year of Classical Structure

The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux is celebrated as a classical year that produced wines of extraordinary balance, structure, and ageing potential across both the Left and Right Banks. Following a challenging spring marked by frost and mildew pressure, the summer brought ideal conditions with warm, dry weather that allowed for perfect phenolic maturity. In Saint-Émilion, the limestone terroirs particularly excelled, producing Merlot-based wines with deep colour, refined tannins, and remarkable freshness. The 2016s are built for the long haul, combining the concentration and structure of great vintages with the elegance and precision that define modern Bordeaux at its finest.

Tasting Notes

Elegance and Mineral Precision

Château de Pressac 2016 reveals a deep ruby colour with violet reflections, opening to a complex bouquet of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum interwoven with notes of graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle spice. On the palate, the wine displays remarkable purity and precision, with silky tannins providing structure without heaviness, supported by a core of vibrant acidity that drives a long, mineral-inflected finish. The limestone terroir expresses itself beautifully through a saline note and stony character that underscores the ripe fruit, creating a wine of compelling elegance and balance that will develop increasing complexity over the next two decades.

Service & Pairing

Serving Recommendations

This elegant Saint-Émilion pairs beautifully with classic French cuisine: roasted lamb with herbs de Provence, duck confit with wild mushrooms, or aged Comté cheese. The wine’s mineral backbone and refined tannins also complement grilled ribeye steak with shallot reduction or venison with blackberry jus. The impressive Jeroboam format ensures optimal slow ageing and makes this bottle ideal for significant celebrations where its grandeur can be properly appreciated by a gathering of wine enthusiasts.

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