PEGAU Cuvee Reserve 86, 89, 90, 95, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 10

WINE TALK
1

Last saturday I co-organzied with Michael Quentel/WEINWISSER a PEGAU Cuvee Reserve-Vertical incl. 16 vintages and Laurence Feraud in Berlin. The so-called “BerlinSignatureTasting” presented the vintages 86, 89, 90, 95, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 10.

I was deeply impressed by the high&homogeneous quality of all wines. No bad wine whatsoever. The ultimate highlights were 1986, 1998, 2000 and 2010. The 86 with its floral notes and silky fruit reminded me on an aged Barolo. 98was the most complete Cuvée Reserve of the vertical 98/100. 2000 seduced by its elegance with no end and 2010 was simply mind-blowing for its future potential. 97/100.
Bottom-line, Pegau Cuvee Reserve needs time, don´t touch it before 15 years of cellar aging.

More infos you will find at the swiss wine newspaper WEINWISSER in january/february by Michael Quentel.


© Laurence Feraud



© Laurence Feraud


It take some time, but now I have my notes back. Of course only short impressions from that night, as I was a co-host.

1986
Perfume of tar. On the palate velvet&silk and then again velvet&silk. Flavors of fruits of the forrest, floral notes, spice, sous-bois. Still a good acidity and reminded on an aged Barolo. 95/100


1989
Impressive harmony, round and spicy. A bit % with flavors of plum, black chocolate and spice-shop.
Chubby.


1990
Very sublime structure with silky structure. Lower %. I No doubt quite delicate, but I miss something.
Maybe it was too shaken in the handbag of Laurence Feraud, as she brought the wine to the tasting. We had a lot sediment in the glass. 92/100


1995
Wonderful perfume. Great in every aspect. Shows power, elegance, character, freshness and edges.
Much, much too young. 94/100


1997
Quite rough and less sublime than `95.


1998
A masterpiece! Everything is on the right place. CdP in perfection. 98/100


1999
Easy-drinking style. Round, opulent with flavors of praline.


2000
Elegance with no end. Perfect mix of power and elegance. Such seductive!. 96/100


2001
Too young! Quite harsh and aloof at the moment.


2003
Too big for my taste.


2004
Charming. not bad.


2005
Not my cup of CdP. Fair to say one of the favorites of Laurence Feraud.


2006
OK……lacks complexity.


2007
It seems it is an underrated vintage. Shows great structure and depth&substance. Really fascinating CdP. 93-95+/1000


2009
NO


2010
WOW WOW WOW
What a potential. 97/100

2

Awesome! I saw the photos on Facebook and wondered about the vintages.

3

Eric,

I will give more infos regarding the vintages on Friday. I left my notes at the famous wine bar CORDOBAR and will receive it on Thursday.

4

I’m a little surprised you liked the 98 more than the 89 and 90. The 98 is delish but I’ve always enjoyed the other two more.

5

Can’t wait for the details

6

The 90 lacked something. Regarding 89I have to look my notes and return on Friday. No doubt,1998 was terrific on saturday and everybody was blown away. Fair to say 1-2 tasters including Laurence favorited 2005 as WOTN.

7

BTW, Justine Feraud, the daughter, told me that 1998 comes very close to Cuvee Laurence.

8

No decanting by the advice of Laurence Feraud . All wines were only opened 1-2h before the tasting.

9

Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing? The Laurence is made in quite a different style than the Reserve, and I would say ‘different’ but not necessarily better.

I’m surprised the 90 didn’t show better: the 2x I’ve had it (around 2000 and again in 2010), I would rank it a solid “A”.

10

Now I see why you made that blanket statement. I didn’t see the 2008 in your line-up. I drank it last Saturday with dinner and it had always drank nicely from day 1, but was singing more-so with my local-restaurant cassoulet.

Thanks for the report. I have a few vintages in storage.

11

Did most of the wines have an obvious Brettanomyces character? Laurence is reportedly very brett-tolerant. I am not, and ended up giving away several bottles of the 2008 Pegau because the taste of the wine turned my stomach.

12

And to elaborate, '99 & '04 have been open wines like '08. The '99 was, imo a great vintage success for Pegau. I completely agree that in vintages like '95, '98, '01, '05 (haven’t had '07, '09, 10) the wines need age. 15 yrs seems like a sweet spot. Looking forward to the notes.

13

Had the '10 the other night, though it was pretty average.

Looked quite bretty also…

14

I have most from 1998 on.

2004 is the ONLY vintage I would drink before 15 years.

I did drink some 00 & 01 this summer but think they have more to give.

15

I think 98 is a great wine, although I haven’t had sound bottles of either 89 or 90 to make a valid comparison. 2004 will be very good growing up, but I don’t think quite as good as 98. Intrigued about hearing the impressions on 09/10 even though I did not partake.

Cheers

16

I think that 98 is an amazing vintage…that being said, while still so young 2010 is going to be a very special wine.

17

The 90was very elegant with an extremely silky texture. Great stuff, but fair to say I missed something. Maybe I am bit too harsh. And according to another taster also much better than 89. Great years ahead for 1990.

Note: the 90´had a lot of depot in the glass. Laurence Feraud brought it to the tasting in her handbag.

I will have my notes on Friday, as I left it in a a wine-bar. I will give more specific impressions of the vintages on Friday.

18

YES, 2001 was such young.

19

How was 07?

20

2009 “was very lush and soft. Almost no tannins and extreme ripe year.” according to another taster.

2010 is such magic and promising and I had the feeling that it will be as good as 1998 maybe.