Christian Moueix Merlot 2001

Christian Moueix has created this uniquely personal cuvée through a selection of wines from numerous small growers in the Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de Francs and Côtes de Bourg appellations. The beautiful Côtes de Castillon, directly to the east of Saint-Emilion, covers 6,600 acres, principally of clay hillsides surrounding a chalky plateau which are the prolongation of Saint-Emilion, and thus very similar to it. The Côtes de Francs, a tiny, 1,375-acre area east of Pomerol, is on the Girondes highest, and driest, elevation, and is characterized by clay and limestone soils with some marl and chalk. The Côtes de Bourg, across the river just opposite Margaux, is much larger, with 9,125 acres under vine; the soils are also extremely varied, but tend to consistently show a topsoil of chalk and clay, with subsoils ranging from marine fossils to sandy loam, and certain areas rich in iron pyrite as in Pomerol. The common factor in these three areas is the predominance of the Merlot variety. In the Côtes de Castillon, it acquires elegance, finesse and longevity; in the Côtes de Francs, structure and fruitiness; and in the Côtes de Bourg, is selected for aroma, body and richness. Blended to evoke each of these aspects of the Merlots personality in a very Bordelaise style, the wine spends, depending on the vintage, approximately six months in old oak casks to enhance structure and harmony. Christian Moueix Merlot brings the complete expression of this grape a step nearer to perfection.