Chateau Picque Caillou 2006

I have had this bottle for several years now and finally got around to opening it. I guess I was saving it for a special occasion. Well being settled in here in Florida is good enough. I cook a nice pork roast and veggies on the grill that complimented it perfectly.  Chateau Picque Caillou 2006 Grand Vin de Graves. Château Picque Caillou is located at the gates of the city of Bordeaux in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Bordeaux vineyard’s historic cradle. Visit their site here  Château Picque Caillou A quote from their site "Once the very heart of the Bordeaux vineyard, the vines of the “Graves de Bordeaux” surrounded the city. Today, Picque Caillou remains one of the last bastions standing up to an all-consuming urban development that holds no respect for soils or history."   A close neighbor of the prestigious Haut-Brion and Pape Clément châteaux, this 21-hectare vineyard carries a name indicative of its pebbly soils that originated from sediments deposited by the nearby Garonne River over thousands of years. Château Picque Caillou Red makes up around 60-70% of the total production, i.e. 65,000 to 80,000 bottles delivered in wooden cases of 12 bottles. This vintage consists of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. All fruit is harvested by hand and aged 14 months in French oak barrels.

 Upon opening it I found the dreaded dry cork syndrome, my screwpull just wouldn't do it. I dug out my Butler's friend or "Ah-So" puller that finished the job. I used my poor man's decanter which I love, an old glass cool-aid pitcher. I decanted this dark delight and let it rest for 30 minutes while tending to my grilling chores.

 After pouring a glass, right away the color caught my eye. It was very dark almost inky. Not having an older Bordeaux in a while I forgot how beautiful it was. The color is what I can describe as a dark plum not clear at all.  The nose was earthy almost leathery. The taste was  of burnt smokey oak and dark fruit. As it sat it opened up to a wonderful berry chocolate and spice (clove-pepper), good mellow tannin's with a finish of which I haven't tasted in some time, dry and long-lasting dark fruit. The alcohol is 12.5  If stored properly it should be good for a few more years. It went fantastic with the pork roast and grilled eggplant, green onions and peppers. If you find it pick it up. I plan on looking for more of this vineyards vintages to see the differences. Cheers!!