Clos Fourtet, Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B 2010

Tasting Notes:

St.-Émilion is the star of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, north of the Dordogne River. The rich red wines produced in St.-Émilion, based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc, are less tannic and generally more fruit-driven in flavour than the Cabernet-based wines of Left Bank.  Le Dome, which is dominated by an incredibly high percentage of Cabernet Franc (80%) and the balance Merlot (20%), is a special effort that must be tasted to be believed. The palate is opulent and full-bodied with spicy black fruits, saturated tannins and a texture so smooth you could slide down it.

Pairing:

Beef, Lamb, Poultry

Tasting Notes:

Château Malescot St-Exupéry owes its name to two former owners -Simon Malescot, a royal councillor to the Bordeaux parliament, who acquired the estate in 1697, and Count Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Exupéry, who owned it from 1827 to 1853. Intense purple-bluish crimson. Focused nose of ripe red fruits. Full attack, refined, closely-integrated stuffing with focused fruit expression. The 2010 Chateau Malescot St Exupery has a touch of warmth on the finish. Good length. Profound, well-structured and nicely fashioned across the palate.

Pairing:

Beef, Tuna, Poultry

Tasting Notes:

This Single Vineyard wine is made from a single hectare on 'Asteries' (rock limestone) soil between Chateau Fonroque and Clos Fourtet. The vines survived the frost of 1956 and are up to eighty years old. 'Panacheed' in the old style (Merlot interspersed with Cabernet Franc to ensure easy blending in the days before pumps) they are cropped down to four bunches per vine to reflect the 'terroir' of the parcel. A formidable wine has loads of structure, an undeniable chalky minerality, big, rich blackberry and creme de cassis fruit, with hints of spring flowers, tar and licorice. Magnificent and pure, this is a killer example of St.-Emilion that is full-bodied and capable of lasting 25-30 years.

Pairing:

Beef, Lamb, Poultry