# Château Bonnin Pichon Grande Réserve (2021)

- **Producer:** Château Bonnin Pichon
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackcurrant, herbaceous, vanilla, cedar, toast, smoke, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Bonnin Pichon Grande Réserve 2021 hails from Lussac Saint-Émilion, one of Bordeaux's esteemed 'satellite' appellations on the Right Bank. This region is renowned for its Merlot-dominant blends, offering a softer, fruit-forward style compared to the Left Bank, yet capable of significant structure and aging potential. The 'Grande Réserve' designation typically indicates a selection of the finest grapes and a commitment to extended aging, often in oak, to produce a wine of greater complexity and depth. Château Bonnin Pichon, like many estates in the area, benefits from a terroir of clay-limestone soils, ideal for cultivating Merlot and Cabernet Franc, contributing to the wine's characteristic richness and elegance. The 2021 vintage, while challenging for Bordeaux, produced wines noted for their freshness and classic balance, particularly for Merlot.

## Interesting facts

- Lussac Saint-Émilion is one of the four 'satellite' appellations surrounding the prestigious Saint-Émilion, sharing similar terroir.
- The 'Grande Réserve' designation on a Bordeaux label often signifies a selection of the best grapes and extended aging.
- The phrase 'Élevé En Fûts De Chêne' on the label means 'aged in oak barrels,' contributing to the wine's complexity.
- The 2021 vintage in Bordeaux was a cooler, more classic year, producing wines with freshness and elegance.

## Food pairing

This Lussac Saint-Émilion, with its Merlot-dominant blend and oak aging, offers a medium to full-bodied profile with firm tannins and ripe fruit. It pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes, especially red meats and game. The wine's structure and fruit character can stand up to robust flavors, while the oak-imparted spice notes complement roasted and earthy elements. Dishes with a touch of sweetness or umami, like prunes in a tagine or truffle oil, can also harmonize with the wine's fruit and soften its tannins.

## Wine making process

The winemaking for Château Bonnin Pichon Grande Réserve 2021 follows traditional Bordeaux methods, with a particular emphasis on quality selection for its 'Grande Réserve' bottling. Grapes are carefully harvested, likely undergoing a sorting process to ensure only the healthiest fruit is used. Fermentation typically occurs in temperature-controlled tanks, allowing for optimal extraction of color, flavor, and tannins. A key aspect of this wine's production, as indicated by 'Élevé En Fûts De Chêne,' is its aging in oak barrels. This process imparts additional complexity, structure, and aromatic nuances such as vanilla, spice, and toast, while also allowing the wine to soften and integrate its components before bottling.