MISSING OUT ON PECHARMANT
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| Bergerac's wine museum (with large shop in front) |
According to winesearcher.com,
quite a few Irish merchants stock wines from Bergerac but none stock Pecharmant,
the best red from the area. Just finished off the last of my 2010 holiday
purchases the other day, hence the reason for the search.
Of course, I could have kept it
– they age well – but I was tempted by “drink it now for the pleasure of its
fruit” on the label. Really a pity that it is not available here as it gives
many highly rated and more expensive Bordeaux a run.
Iron in the soil of this sub
region of Bergerac gives the AOC wines (they make only rich red ones)
minerality and grip.
Château de Tiregand Pecharmant 2007, 13%. The blend: Merlot 54%,
Cabernet Sauvignon 23%, Cabernet Franc 18% and Malbec 5%.
Colour is dark red with elegant
aromas of dark fruit. Doesn’t quite match the grip of the Peyretaille (below)
but, in the mouth, it is a beautiful rounded ensemble. The 12 months on oak has
played a part. No wonder, in earlier centuries, the boys of Bordeaux didn’t
want these wines reaching these islands via their port.
Chateau Peyretaille Pecharmant 2007, 12.5%. The blend: Merlot 40%,
Cabernet Franc 40%, Cot 10% and Cabernet Sauvignon 10%.
A typically rich red; moreish,
with a long length; very impressive and not surprised that it won a Silver
Medal at the Grands Vins de France 2009.
Colour is a healthy looking
black cherry red and the lovely fruity nose is very inviting. In the mouth, the
red and black fruit are again prominent and a pleasure. There is a grippy
texture in this excellent well balanced bottle.
Looks like I’ll have to make
another trip to Bergerac!
