Chateau de Pressac St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Pressac

Learn everything about Chateau de Pressac St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau de Pressac History, Overview

The history of what we know of Chateau de Pressac today started several hundred years ago, during the Medieval time period. At first, the property was used as a fortress.

In 1453, following the Battle of Castillon which ended the Hundred Years War, the official treaties were signed at Chateau de Pressac. At the time, the estate was a castle, complete with a moat and drawbridge, which is where the design for the modern-day chateau took its inspiration from. As you can see, there is a lot of history connected to this vineyard.

As a working vineyard in St. Emilion, Chateau de Pressac dates back to at least 1737 when the owner at the time began planting a popular grape called Auxerrois. In time the name of the grape was grape changed to Pressac. Pressac was better known by its complete formal name for the variety at the time, Noir de Pressac.

During those days, Pressac, was a popular grape for the Bordeaux appellation, especially in the Right Bank. In time, the grape once again changed names Malbec. Of course, Chateau Pressac took its name from the original French term for Malbec, the grape that was planted at the estate in its formative years.

Chateau de Pressac the Modern Era

Jean Francois Quenin purchased Chateau de Pressac in 1997. Because the vineyards were allowed to become dilapidated by the previous owner, Jean-Francois Quenin was forced to replant the majority of the vineyard. He also invested a large sum of money in rebuilding and modernizing their winemaking facilities.

Jean Francois Quenin changed how the grapes were harvested, moving from machine picking to manual harvesting. All this work is really starting to pay off as the wines have continued improving year, after year. 2015 and 2016 are both, strong, top-level vintages for Chateau Pressac.

2012 depressac harvest

The complete renovation allows Chateau de Pressac to vinify on a parcel by parcel basis, as the estate now has one vat per parcel. At Chateau de Pressac, they use a system of cube-shaped, cement vats for the vinification.

The 10, cube-shaped vats range in size from 45, 50, and 60 hectoliters. Now, everything is moved by gravity in the cellars. The renovation included a new barrel room too.

To aid in sorting, Chateau de Pressac began using optical sorting in 2009, and in time for the 2012 Bordeaux vintage, they added the new Oscillys destemmer, vertical presses, and a peristaltic pump.

Chateau de Pressac strives to remain technologically up to date. They are currently using robots for the cap punching. Robots in Saint Emilion! Who said Bordeaux was behind the times?

Aside from being the owner of a classified Saint Emilion estate, Jean Francois Quenin, is one of the busier people in the Right Bank wine world today. Not only is he the President of the Union of Saint Emilion, Pomerol, and Fronsac, he’s President of the St. Emilion Wine Council and if that wasn’t enough, he’s also the Vice President of the Cercle de Rive Droite!

Chateau de Pressac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 42 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Chateau de Pressac is planted to 69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Malbec, 1.5% Carmenere, and 1% Malbec.

The terroir is split into two separate soil types, which can be further divided into 3 distinct blocks. On the plateau, you find more limestone. On the slopes, there is a stronger concentration of clay with limestone soil.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density ranging from 5,500 to 6,000 vines per hectare. The vineyard is located in the Saint Etienne de Lisse commune, not far from Valandraud, Chateau Faugeres and Chateau Fleur Cardinale.

Chateau de Pressac is vinified in cube shaped, concrete vats. Everything in the cellar is moved by gravity. The wine is aged in 65% new, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months before bottling.

The Best vintages of Chateau de Pressac are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2001, 2000 and 1998. It should be noted that starting with 2016, the wines here have really improved!

There is a second wine, Chateau Tour de Pressac. A small amount of wine is also used for a new, third wine on occasion. On average, Chateau de Pressac produces between 8,000 and 12,000 cases of St. Emilion wine per vintage.

When to Drink Chateau de Pressac, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau de Pressac is better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage.

Chateau de Pressac is best enjoyed in the first 5-21 years of life. Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour to 90 minutes. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau de Pressac with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau de Pressac is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau de Pressac is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau de Pressac is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, pasta, and a wide variety of both hard and soft cheese.

www.chateau-de-pressac.com

Château de Pressac Wine Tasting Notes

21 Vintages 88,946 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
94
Silky, elegant, pure, fresh, and medium-bodied, the sweet, dark, red, and black fruits are vibrant, polished, refined, long, and pure in the nose, and on the palate. Drink from 2025-2040. 93-95 Pts.

Silky, elegant, pure, fresh, and medium-bodied, the sweet, dark, red, and black fruits are vibrant, polished, refined, long, and pure in the nose, and on the palate. Drink from 2025-2040. 93-95 Pts.

2,221 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Espresso, spice, and savory red berries fill the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, polished, silky and fresh, with sweetness to the creamy, red fruits on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

Espresso, spice, and savory red berries fill the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, polished, silky and fresh, with sweetness to the creamy, red fruits on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2024-2036.

101 Views   Tasted
Smoky, with a leafy, tobacco edge to the elegant, refined, fresh, cherries and plums. Medium-bodied, soft and silky, there is a nice sweetness to the fruits on the palate and in the finish, with its touch of chocolate-mint in the endnote. Not much wine was made as the yields were under 15 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2023-2035. 92-94

Smoky, with a leafy, tobacco edge to the elegant, refined, fresh, cherries and plums. Medium-bodied, soft and silky, there is a nice sweetness to the fruits on the palate and in the finish, with its touch of chocolate-mint in the endnote. Not much wine was made as the yields were under 15 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2023-2035. 92-94

1,325 Views   Tasted
2021
85
A touch of espresso and red plums share the nose. The palate is light, fresh and bright, with ample, crisp, red fruits, making this easy for early-drinking consumption. Drink from 2024-2029.

A touch of espresso and red plums share the nose. The palate is light, fresh and bright, with ample, crisp, red fruits, making this easy for early-drinking consumption. Drink from 2024-2029.

89 Views   Tasted
Light-weight, forward, cherry and flower filled wine for early-drinking consumption. Drink from 2023-2027. 84-85

Light-weight, forward, cherry and flower filled wine for early-drinking consumption. Drink from 2023-2027. 84-85

1,074 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Medium-bodied, elegant, soft and fresh with a core of ripe, sweet, vibrant red fruits, silky tannins and a finish ending with chalk, cocoa, espresso and cherries. Drink from 2023-2045.

Medium-bodied, elegant, soft and fresh with a core of ripe, sweet, vibrant red fruits, silky tannins and a finish ending with chalk, cocoa, espresso and cherries. Drink from 2023-2045.

1,090 Views   Tasted
Elegant, floral and smoky, the wine is medium-bodied, lifted and loaded with sweet, juicy, silky plums, licorice, spice, cherry liqueur and mesquite. The finish is long, fresh and refined with layers of creamy wild cherries and black raspberries in the endnote. 93-95 Pts

Elegant, floral and smoky, the wine is medium-bodied, lifted and loaded with sweet, juicy, silky plums, licorice, spice, cherry liqueur and mesquite. The finish is long, fresh and refined with layers of creamy wild cherries and black raspberries in the endnote. 93-95 Pts

1,880 Views   Tasted
2020
87
Medium-bodied, soft, forward, fruity charmer with sweetness to the cherries and touch of chocolate on the palate. Drink this while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2023-2027.

Medium-bodied, soft, forward, fruity charmer with sweetness to the cherries and touch of chocolate on the palate. Drink this while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2023-2027.

1,128 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Energetic, fresh, silky and refined, the wine blends sweet red fruits, espresso, touches of cocoa, licorice, flowers and a refined, medium-bodied character. Everything is in place to offer close to 2 decades of elegant drinking. Drink from 2023-2035.

Energetic, fresh, silky and refined, the wine blends sweet red fruits, espresso, touches of cocoa, licorice, flowers and a refined, medium-bodied character. Everything is in place to offer close to 2 decades of elegant drinking. Drink from 2023-2035.

3,055 Views   Tasted
Fresh, juicy, soft and polished, the wine is medium-bodied, supple and elegantly styled. The plums are fresh and the sweet cherries are even fresher. The licorice and espresso accents add to the fun. The finish, with its freshness and dark chocolate covered, lifted red fruits resonates. 92-94 Pts

Fresh, juicy, soft and polished, the wine is medium-bodied, supple and elegantly styled. The plums are fresh and the sweet cherries are even fresher. The licorice and espresso accents add to the fun. The finish, with its freshness and dark chocolate covered, lifted red fruits resonates. 92-94 Pts

3,837 Views   Tasted
2019
87
Medium-bodied, forward, fruity and fresh this is perfect for near-term drinking for all of its sweet, red berry character. Drink from 2022-2027.

Medium-bodied, forward, fruity and fresh this is perfect for near-term drinking for all of its sweet, red berry character. Drink from 2022-2027.

803 Views   Tasted
2018
94
Floral and spicy, with a dash of spearmint, licorice, black cherries and smoke on the nose. The wine is elegant, fresh, medium/full-bodied, soft and silky, with an inviting finish of sweet, ripe, plums, cherry and black raspberry. One of the few Bordeaux wines using all five allowable grape varieties, blending 74% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere and 1% Malbec.

Floral and spicy, with a dash of spearmint, licorice, black cherries and smoke on the nose. The wine is elegant, fresh, medium/full-bodied, soft and silky, with an inviting finish of sweet, ripe, plums, cherry and black raspberry. One of the few Bordeaux wines using all five allowable grape varieties, blending 74% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere and 1% Malbec.

2,434 Views   Tasted
Medium/full-bodied, you'll find, smoke, licorice, espresso and plum in the nose. The wine is elegant, energetic, soft and polished with sweet, red fruits and silky textures. One of the few Bordeaux wines to use all five allowable grape varieties, the wine blends, 74% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere and 1% Malbec. 92-94 Pts

Medium/full-bodied, you'll find, smoke, licorice, espresso and plum in the nose. The wine is elegant, energetic, soft and polished with sweet, red fruits and silky textures. One of the few Bordeaux wines to use all five allowable grape varieties, the wine blends, 74% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere and 1% Malbec. 92-94 Pts

2,759 Views   Tasted
2018
87
Medium-bodied, fruity and fresh, with soft, earthy sweet red cherries, plum and licorice in its core. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure.

Medium-bodied, fruity and fresh, with soft, earthy sweet red cherries, plum and licorice in its core. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure.

1,423 Views   Tasted
2017
92
Spice, underbrush, licorice and red fruits create the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, soft, bright and fresh. There is a fiery vivacity to the red fruit. With a fitting depth of color, this wine offers extra polish. One of the

Spice, underbrush, licorice and red fruits create the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, soft, bright and fresh. There is a fiery vivacity to the red fruit. With a fitting depth of color, this wine offers extra polish. One of the

3,468 Views   Tasted
2016
94
The spicy note adds complexity to the licorice, vanilla, wild cherry and smoke in the nose. The wine is silky, soft, polished sweet and uplifted, with loads of elegant, polished, sweet, perfectly ripe red pit fruits in the finish.

The spicy note adds complexity to the licorice, vanilla, wild cherry and smoke in the nose. The wine is silky, soft, polished sweet and uplifted, with loads of elegant, polished, sweet, perfectly ripe red pit fruits in the finish.

3,528 Views   Tasted
Deep in color, the wine has flesh with rich, dark fruits, silky textures and polished tannins. There is length and character in the finish. This is the best wine yet from de Pressac.

Deep in color, the wine has flesh with rich, dark fruits, silky textures and polished tannins. There is length and character in the finish. This is the best wine yet from de Pressac.

5,629 Views   Tasted
2015
93
Soft, fresh and silky, this is sweet, elegant, fruity and medium bodied. You find earthy, pure refined, red fruits with a finish that feels as good as it tastes, with all its red berries, spice, earth, smoke and cherries.

Soft, fresh and silky, this is sweet, elegant, fruity and medium bodied. You find earthy, pure refined, red fruits with a finish that feels as good as it tastes, with all its red berries, spice, earth, smoke and cherries.

4,640 Views   Tasted
Elegance and silk are the hallmarks of this beauty. The wine shows its earthy, pure, refined, red fruits with little effort. The finish feels as good as it tastes, with all its fresh, ripe, red berries, spice, earth, smoke and cherries.

Elegance and silk are the hallmarks of this beauty. The wine shows its earthy, pure, refined, red fruits with little effort. The finish feels as good as it tastes, with all its fresh, ripe, red berries, spice, earth, smoke and cherries.

3,706 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied and focused on its elegant, pure, earthy, spicy nature, the wine is soft, silky, clean and fresh, dark, red fruit nature.

Medium bodied and focused on its elegant, pure, earthy, spicy nature, the wine is soft, silky, clean and fresh, dark, red fruit nature.

3,011 Views   Tasted
With a good depth of color, this wine shows more polish and depth than usual. Ripe, dark, juicy, sweet plums and licorice at its core, this ends with freshness and a silky mouth feel.

With a good depth of color, this wine shows more polish and depth than usual. Ripe, dark, juicy, sweet plums and licorice at its core, this ends with freshness and a silky mouth feel.

2,545 Views   Tasted
2014
91
Smoky cherries and cocoa with silky, smooth textures, this wine is medium bodied with a cherry-coated, licorice finish. 90-91 Pts

Smoky cherries and cocoa with silky, smooth textures, this wine is medium bodied with a cherry-coated, licorice finish. 90-91 Pts

3,073 Views   Tasted
2013
88
Floral and light red berry aromas move to a medium-bodied, open, easy-to-drink, cherry-filled character. This will be best to drink on the young side. 87-89 Pts

Floral and light red berry aromas move to a medium-bodied, open, easy-to-drink, cherry-filled character. This will be best to drink on the young side. 87-89 Pts

2,345 Views   Tasted
2012
90
Opening with fresh earth, herbs, licorice, espresso and ripe, soft plums, the wine is medium bodied and silky smooth with a sweet, plummy finish.

Opening with fresh earth, herbs, licorice, espresso and ripe, soft plums, the wine is medium bodied and silky smooth with a sweet, plummy finish.

3,237 Views   Tasted
Earthy, spicy, oaky, medium-bodied with red plums and cherries. 88-90 Pts

Earthy, spicy, oaky, medium-bodied with red plums and cherries. 88-90 Pts

3,211 Views   Tasted
2011
89
Earthy, leafy, polished and soft, this medium bodied, red berry filled wine is best for near term drinking.

Earthy, leafy, polished and soft, this medium bodied, red berry filled wine is best for near term drinking.

2,482 Views   Tasted
Oak, stone, coffee and black raspberry scents, medium body and a red berry jam finish are found in this wine. 87-89 Pts

Oak, stone, coffee and black raspberry scents, medium body and a red berry jam finish are found in this wine. 87-89 Pts

2,979 Views   Tasted
2010
90
A nice early drinking, medium bodied, easy to like Right Bank wine with an open, soft, forward personality, black cherry, earth, fennel and coffee bean nose that ends with a clean, fresh, black cherry finish.

A nice early drinking, medium bodied, easy to like Right Bank wine with an open, soft, forward personality, black cherry, earth, fennel and coffee bean nose that ends with a clean, fresh, black cherry finish.

5,161 Views   Tasted
2009
89
Filled with earth, plums, cherries and fennel, this medium bodied, round textured, value wine from St. Emilion will deliver pleasure on release. Interestingly, this is one of the few Bordeaux wines to utilize the talents of two consultants, Hubert de Bouard and Alain Raynaud.

Filled with earth, plums, cherries and fennel, this medium bodied, round textured, value wine from St. Emilion will deliver pleasure on release. Interestingly, this is one of the few Bordeaux wines to utilize the talents of two consultants, Hubert de Bouard and Alain Raynaud.

5,776 Views   Tasted
2008
87
Surprisingly light in color and fruit, this forward, medium bodied, refined, spicy, red berry dominated wine is already showing what it has to offer. This is not a wine for aging. Instead, it is an easy drinking, soft textured, pleasant wine for current consumption.

Surprisingly light in color and fruit, this forward, medium bodied, refined, spicy, red berry dominated wine is already showing what it has to offer. This is not a wine for aging. Instead, it is an easy drinking, soft textured, pleasant wine for current consumption.

4,828 Views   Tasted
2006
88
Fully mature, better on the earthy, truffle, tobacco and plum palate than on the medium-bodied, firm, slightly stoic, currant and tobacco-stained palate.

Fully mature, better on the earthy, truffle, tobacco and plum palate than on the medium-bodied, firm, slightly stoic, currant and tobacco-stained palate.

1,846 Views   Tasted
2005
91
Starting to drink quite well at 10 years of age, the wine has developed nicely. The earthy, truffle laden nose is made even better with its ripe, sweet, black raspberries and dark cherry notes. The soft, smooth finish ends with fresh, juicy plums, cherries and licorice. This has room for further evolution.

Starting to drink quite well at 10 years of age, the wine has developed nicely. The earthy, truffle laden nose is made even better with its ripe, sweet, black raspberries and dark cherry notes. The soft, smooth finish ends with fresh, juicy plums, cherries and licorice. This has room for further evolution.

4,262 Views   Tasted