I’ve been a fan of Château de Pressac for a number of years. This is an impressive property that is surrounded by its own vineyard which looks out over the Dordogne valley in the [now fashionable] St-Etienne-de-Lisse commune of St Emilion. I had the chance to visit the château for the first time during my recent primeurs trip. Château de Pressac is the project of the ebullient and driven Jean-François Quenin who purchased the property in 1997 with his wife Dominique. Not only have they ploughed their own fortune into the property investing heavily in the vineyards and the cellar but also with time and hands-on graft as owner-occupiers and as champions of the wines of St Emilion more generally. It’s a big property at 40 hectares and has the most sublime terroir. The grand vin, Château de Pressac itself, has always had lots of purity and depth in my experience and the second label Château Tour de Pressac I’ve found to be impressive for what is effectively a second wine here. So how did the property fair in 2025?

Well the vintage has been a success here, tasted twice with consistent notes. The vineyard position is enviable, which spreads out in an amphitheatre like way beside and around the property. In the variety of its terroir and aspects it reminds me a lot of Château Laroque in its aspect and orientation. The 2025s here at de Pressac are deep, showing their typical purity and depth, but with significant structure beneath. Tour de Pressac also looks a bit of a steal if it remains as competitively priced as it usually is.

The following notes were taken from tastings at the Grand Cercle as well as at Château de Pressac itself when it held the St Emilion Grand Cru Classé tasting during primeurs week.

Château de Pressac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé, 2025

Deep and bold; very dense colour; totally opaque at centre; colour tight to rim; ripe pure black cherry and plum notes; appreciate the clarity and purity here; has freshness; very black cherry; deep; cool; nice entry on the palate; fresh cool black cherry fruit which really works well; loads of fruit but the tannins are round; lovely mouthful and caressing. Very enjoyable de Pressac. Some tannin on the end but this is needed and will resolve. Freshness too here. Tasted 18/4/26 and 21/4/26. Drink 2030-2045. 93-95+

Château Tour de Pressac, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2025

Solid colour; bold and dark at centre; creamy black cherry with some saline notes; has salt and mineral; some iodine; intense; dark chocolate; black cherry; nice mouthfeel; has zap and juice; well done. Sappy and fresh on the end. This works in a fresh, black cherry way. Mid weight in the end. I might be underrating this. Tasted 18/4/26. Drink 2028-2035. 89-91+

The view from de Pressac back down towards the Dordogne.