Chateau Pitray Les Prairies Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2020

Chateau Pitray Les Prairies Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux brings a generous, polished take on Right Bank Bordeaux, led by Merlot with Cabernet Franc and a small touch of Malbec. The 2020 offers ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit, a flicker of orange peel and black tea, with supple tannins and an appealingly juicy feel. This vintage also marked the relaunch of Les Prairies under owner Jean de Boigne and consultant winemaker Nina Mitjavile. It is approachable now without losing its Bordeaux character, making it an easy choice for steak, duck or a slow cooked beef dish.

What the winery says:

The 2020 Les Prairies is a blend of 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec from Chateau Pitray in Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, close to Saint Emilion. The estate's vineyards sit on clay and limestone soils, with parcels vinified separately in temperature controlled concrete tanks. For Les Prairies, maturation is split between used oak barrels and stainless steel, helping retain the fruit while adding roundness and texture. The resulting style is fruit forward and supple, with ripe fruit, black tea and elegant tannins at the centre.

What the experts say:

James Suckling, 92/100 (2020)
“Aromas of blackberries and blueberries with some orange peel. Full-bodied with layered tannins and a juicy nature.”