Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
This 15+ acre estate, situated on a south/southwest-facing slope, has been making sensational wines since 2000, when the management of the vineyard and winemaking were taken over by Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. The 40-year-old, bio-dynamically farmed vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The 2003 possesses superb ripeness as well as a stony, mineral liqueur-like intensity, a reticent but promising perfume of black raspberries, sweet kirsch, and blacker fruits, a full-bodied, powerful, concentrated attack and mid-palate, and a blockbuster, long, powerful, moderately tannic finish. It is an infant in terms of development. No doubt this site’s clay and limestone soils were the perfect antidote for the summer’s torrid heat and drought. This superb effort should only be purchased by patient connoisseurs. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025+
Lovely.
Totally ribena (ie intense sweet blackcurrant) on the nose, then a little spice. Very soft and juicy and simple.Drink 2007-2011. Date tasted 23rd Jan 08.
Tiny yields of 29 hectoliters per hectare from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc have resulted in a terrific, dense inky/blue/purple-colored 2003 offering sumptuous aromas of creme de cassis, crushed rocks, flowers, and black raspberries, a marvelous texture, powerful, full-bodied flavors, good extraction as well as density, and a long, persistent finish with moderately high tannin. Because of low acidity and elevated glycerin, it should be drinkable in 2-3 years, and last for two decades.
An up and coming potential superstar, this 15+ acre, south-facing vineyard (40-year old vines) planted on pure limestone (near Beau-Sejour-Becot and Beausejour-Duffau) is impeccably run and farmed biodynamically by St.-Emilion’s and Pomerol’s two wunderkind, Nicolas Thienpont and Stephen Derenoncourt.
A sensationally well-situated, south-facing, 15+ acre vineyard, whose neighbors include such luminaries as Beausejour-Duffau, Angelus, and Beau-Sejour-Becot, this estate burst on the scene with a brilliant 2000. It is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc fashioned from 40-year old vines. Yields in 2003 were 29 hectoliters per hectare, and given the wine’s enormous richness, it should not be surprising to learn the soils are pure clay and limestone, the type best suited to handle the historic weather conditions of 2003. The bad news is that there are only 1,500 cases. Tasted three separate times, it is a worthy rival to the profound 2000. Its inky/ruby/purple color is followed by pure aromas of black cherry liqueur intermixed with smoke, licorice, crushed stones, and flowers. It possesses a fabulous texture, full body, low acidity, and high but ripe, well-integrated tannin. A seamlessly constructed St.-Emilion of great depth, richness, and nobility, it should drink well young given its high pH and alcohol as well as its low acidity. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.