| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This small (7.6 hectare) property is planted with 39% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and has a stylish new winery designed by Philippe Starck. Winemaker Guillaume Pouthier previously worked at Chapoutier in the Rhone, and regularly uses up to half whole bunch fermentation. This is currently one of Bordeaux's hottest properties and when we said to Guillaume that the style reminded us of Jamet Côte Rôtie he understood that this was high praise indeed from Farr Vintners!
Deep ruby colour. Though the trademark herbal accents from wholebunch are evident in the bouquet here, the fruit intensity adds a real sense of harmony to this vintage. Full of cherry blossom, violet and deeper tones of blackcurrant and graphite, this is very complex and enticing. The palate is initially glossy but quickly bolstered by chewy, moutchoating tannins. There are tones of iris flower, pencil shavings and dark cassis fruit together. This has real sructure and a unique personality. An excellent iteration of this idiosyncratic style.
The 2019 is a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, with an abv of 13.5%. The yields are a healthy 46hl/ha with the harvest completed between 19th and 29th September. The wine will be aged in 84% new French oak, with 7% in large foudres and 9% in amphoras, for 18-24 months. As usual, the fermentation was entirely carried out with whole bunches but this year the extraction was carried out with total infusion - there were only one or two punch downs at the very beginning of fermentation. For the remaining fermentation the vats were filled to the top to leave the cap submerged. This should increase aromas while retaining colour. Production will be 42,000 bottles. We were unable to taste the 2019 ahead of release.
Inky purple in colour, with peony and iris aromatics, then a whoosh of freshness that makes your mouth water before you are even halfway through. This is extremely impressive, well balanced, with fine tannins and real discretion but hidden power and depths. Clear floral character, with an austerity that makes you celebrate minerality. There are gourmet touches but the focus is rather on slate, rosemary and crushed stones with hints of chocolate shavings alongside the damson and blackberry fruit. 3.56pH, 80% in casks, 11% 20hl wood and 9% amphoras, 55% whole bunch fermentation (which brings the alcohol down to this relatively low level for the estate's location). A wine to surprise those who think Bordeaux can't deliver understatement. Tannin count of 82IPT. Drinking Window 2024 - 2044
