Learn everything about Chateau Pipeau St. Emilion with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking, and terroir. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles
Chateau Pipeau History, Overview
Chateau Pipeau is managed by Jean Mestreguilhem, the current owner and director of the property.
Chateau Pipeau takes its name from the meaning of the French term for a reed pipe. Dominique Lauret and Richard Mestreguilhem are also family partners in the neighboring estate Chateau Pindefleurs, another vineyard that is located in the Saint Emilion appellation.
Chateau Pipeau Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 25 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Pipeau is planted to 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The terroir is sand, gravel, and clay soils. They have parcels in a myriad of different locations in the Saint Emilion appellation, which in some vintages can make it difficult to harvest grapes fully ripened, across the board.
The vineyard has old vines, with an average vine age of close to 30 years. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,600 vines per hectare. The vineyards are harvested using a combination of machine harvesting and handpicking.
To produce the wine of Chateau Pipeau, the wines are vinified in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Although, in select vintages, a portion of the Cabernet Sauvignon is left to age in the stainless steel vats.
Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine of Chateau Pipeau is then aged in an average of 70% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 14 months before bottling.
The Best Vintages of Chateau Pipeau are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.
On average, Chateau Pipeau produces close to 12,500 cases of wine per year.
When to Drink Chateau Pipeau, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Chateau Pipeau is better with at least 3-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau Pipeau is best enjoyed in the first 3-12 years of life.
Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour. 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 Pipeau, with Wine and Food Pairings
Chateau Pipeau is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.
Chateau Pipeau is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Pipeau is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.
In the best vintages, Chateau Pipeau can offer a charming, easy-drinking wine with a forward character for a fair price.
Château Pipeau Wine Tasting Notes
9 Vintages 29,244 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2018
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Spicy, fresh, red cherries and even redder plums are served with a blast of licorice and dried flowers in this medium-bodied, soft, ready-to-drink wine. Drink from 2022-2032. 2,658 Views Tasted Nov 25, 2022 |
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2017
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Fresh, bright, medium-bodied, lighter-styled, red berry and herb dominated wine that is fine for early drinking pleasure. 1,941 Views Tasted Sep 16, 2020 |
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2016
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium bodied, soft, forward, and with a ripe, red plum approach, with nuances of flowers, espresso and fennel, the round finish offers freshness and fruit that leans to, but does not reach a bright edge. 3,816 Views Tasted Apr 29, 2017 |
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2015
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, open, forward and ready to go with its juicy, ripe plums, sweet black cherries, espresso, cocoa, toast, and licorice accents. 2,796 Views Tasted Aug 29, 2021 |
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2014
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
With a nose packed with black cherries, espresso and cocoa. The wine is round, finishing with black raspberries, dark chocolate and espresso. 86-88 Pts 3,900 Views Tasted May 4, 2015 |
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2012
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium bodied, forward, easy to like in style, with ample, ripe, sweet black raspberries, thyme and earthy characteristics. 3,788 Views Tasted May 15, 2015 |
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2010
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Medium bodied, early drinking, approachable Right Banker, with a soft, black cherry, cocoa and licorice filled center with freshness and soft tannins. 3,329 Views Tasted May 13, 2015 |
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2009
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
With good concentration of flavor, supple, round textures and ample, fresh, sweet black raspberry, cherry, anise, espresso and earthy notes, this is quite nice. You can drink it now, if you prefer primary flavors, or age it 3-5 years for more complexity. 3,730 Views Tasted May 4, 2015 |
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2005
Château Pipeau (St. Émilion Grand Cru)
Forward, fruity, easy to drink, medium bodied, fresh, spicy, red cherry, earth and licorice filled, soft textured, delicious wine that is ready to drink today. Who knows, a few more years could add even a bit more depth, but I think this is just about in the sweet spot. 3,286 Views Tasted Nov 9, 2016 |
