# Château Patache d'Aux (2010)

- **Producer:** Château Patache d'Aux
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €26
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, plum, cherry, bell pepper, vanilla, cedar, smoke, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Patache d'Aux is a distinguished red wine from the Médoc appellation in Bordeaux, France, classified as a Cru Bourgeois. The 2010 vintage, widely regarded as 'Legendary' for Bordeaux, was produced by Château Patache d'Aux, an estate with a rich history as an ancient staging post for coaches traversing the Médoc. This particular vintage has received significant acclaim, earning a Silver medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Concours General Agricole Paris in 2012, as well as Bronze at the Challenge International du Vin and Concours des Grands Vins de France Macon in the same year, and a Commended award at the International Wine Challenge in 2013.

## Interesting facts

- The estate was once an ancient staging post for coaches traveling through the Médoc.
- The 2010 vintage in Bordeaux is widely celebrated as 'Legendary'.
- This Cru Bourgeois wine was aged for 18 months in a mix of new and used oak, plus tanks.
- The vineyard soils are distinctive clay-limestone plateaus.

## Food pairing

The firm tannins and medium to full body of this Médoc blend make it an excellent partner for rich, savory dishes. Proteins like beef, lamb, and game have enough fat and texture to balance the wine's structure, softening the tannins and allowing the fruit and earthy notes to shine. Roasting or grilling methods that create a savory crust further complement the wine's complexity. Avoid delicate dishes or those with high acidity or spice, which could clash with the wine's robust character.

## Wine making process

The grapes for Château Patache d'Aux are sourced from vineyards characterized by clay-limestone plateaus, providing a unique terroir for the Bordeaux blend. Following fermentation, the 2010 vintage underwent an extensive aging process of 18 months. This maturation involved a combination of vessels: 30% of the wine was aged in new oak barrels, another 30% in second and third use barrels, and the remaining 10% in tanks, allowing for a complex integration of flavors and textures. The wine has a residual sugar of 2 g/L, indicating a dry style.