Seeking clarification on Chateau Pibran.

[JimHow]

So I finally tasted Chateau Pibran at Pichon Baron.
It is a wine I've been interested in for sometime because I've always been curious why it has not been more highly regarded, sitting as it does in such a seemingly propitious spot between Mouton, Pontet Canet, Pichon Baron, etc.
The 2010 we had was very nice.
As I understood it, this has historically been a cabernet dominated wine.
From our tasting at Pichon Baron, am I now to understand that going forward this going to be a primarily merlot wine?

[AlexR]

Jim,

According to the most recent Féret, Pibran has 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon.

It's a 17 hectare estate.

I've always liked Pibran and think it's tremendous value for money.

Alex R.

[AlohaArtakaHoundsong]

They gonna put the cab in the Baron?

[JimHow]

Thanks Alex.
There was some discussion to that effect Hound, I don't recall exactly what he said.

[AKR]

I bought some 2010, first time ever, but have not tried it.

It seems that stores are willing to carry these less well known names as the quality (supposedly) gets better, and the classified Pauillac's seem to now be in $75+ zone basically.

There are a bunch I've never seen at US retail in my area, although I suppose these are all over the French markets.

[AlohaArtakaHoundsong]

I've kicked the tires (virtually) on Pibran and Fonbadet a couple of times but it seems that whenever they're available they're pushing the $40 mark. For curiosity sake, sure, I am all for it. But for drinking? You can get something more under the radar like a Chateau Capbern/Capbern Gasqueton for $17 and it's from the Calon stable and it's 70+% cabernet. Perhpas not in the same style and if not of course that's could be more important than price.

[AKR]

Pauillac is one of those blue square Monopoly properties

[Jeff Leve]

Jim,

According to the most recent Féret, Pibran has 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon..

They are outdated....

Jim.... When you want to know something about Bordeaux.... You should know where to look by now. http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/bor ... eaux-wine/

[AlexR]

Jeff,

I understandably consider the Féret more of an authority on Bordeaux than you...

Speaking of which, I hope you have corrected your blog about Beychevelle.
I saw Philippe Blanc who confirmed what I have already written.
He also told me that Ducru Beaucaillou likewise have plots in Cussac entitled to the Saint-Julien appellation, and that go into the grand vin.

Alex R.

[Jeff Leve]

Alex

Funny you should mention Philippe Blanc. I will be with him at the Beychevelle table for the Fete de La Fleur dinner. I will ask him directly.

Feret is quite often outdated. I am more often, up to date with information on the estates we cover.

[AlexR]

Jeff,

My Féret is the 2014 edition.

Alex

[Jeff Leve]

The date of the publication is not the same as the date of the information. See, you really can learn something new each day.

[AlexR]

Maybe even from you one day, Jeff Leve.

You never know.

Alex R.

[JimHow]

Jeff:
I read your site on Pibran, very interesting.
Your site says that Pibran is 54% merlot, 45% cab sauvignon, and 1% petit verdot, which doesn't seem to differ from the 55-45 split that Alex cited.

There was a discussion at Pichon Baron about higher merlot, I thought, post 2010 vintage, but I can't recall what was said.