# Château Picque Caillou 2017 (2017)

- **Producer:** Château Picque-Caillou
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 17–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, red cherry, cassis, vanilla, charred wood, cloves, chocolate, smoke

## About this wine

Château Picque Caillou 2017 is a red wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation in Bordeaux, France. The estate is owned by Isabelle and Paulin Calvet, who have managed and invested in the property since the late 1990s. The name 'Caillou' refers to the estate's gravelly soil, a former riverbed that helps retain warmth. The vineyard is cultivated using sustainable practices and is certified HVE 3. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, aged in a mix of new and used oak barrels.

## Interesting facts

- Estate name 'Caillou' means pebbles, referencing its gravelly soil.
- Vineyard certified HVE 3 (High Environmental Value).
- Manual harvest with sorting directly on the vine.
- Uses a blend of new, one-year-old, and two-year-old barrels for aging.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and refined tannins are well-suited to complement the richness and protein of red meats, while the subtle oak notes can echo char-grilled flavors. Its fruit profile can also balance the savory elements of game.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Château Picque Caillou begins with a manual harvest and rigorous sorting on the vine. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration take place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures, followed by post-fermentation maceration. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in vats. The wine is then aged for 12 months, with one-third new oak barrels, one-third one-year-old barrels, and one-third two-year-old barrels. The vineyard is managed without weedkillers and holds HVE 3 certification.