Pessac-Leognan 2020

Producer history

The estate entered a defining era in 1865 when Arnaud Ricard purchased it for 33,000 francs; the Ricard family, originally coopers (barrel-makers) in the Bordeaux trade, ran the property for over a century. Claude Ricard inherited the estate in 1948 at age 21, fresh from studying under the noted oenologist Émile Peynaud at the University of Bordeaux, and managed it for more than three decades. In 1983, the Ricard family sold the property to the Bernard family, owners of a Cognac-based distilling business; Olivier Bernard took over management at age 23, working alongside Claude Ricard for five years during the transition before taking full charge. The estate has remained under Bernard family ownership since.

Signature pairings

• Roast chicken with herbes de Provence — The red's restrained, precise structure suits a lighter roasted main rather than heavy red meat, letting the wine's savory herb and gravel-soil minerality show through.
• Steamed sea bass with lemon and herbs — The white's Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend and lees-aged texture have enough weight and citrus lift to match delicate steamed white fish without overpowering it.
• Steamed sea bass with lime and chili (pla neung manao) (ปลานึ่งมะนาว) — The white's bright acidity and citrus character mirror the dish's lime-forward sourness, and its texture from lees aging gives it enough presence to stand up to the dish's light chili and garlic; whites rely on acid rather than tannin so they handle mild heat well.