Winemaker Notes
Appealing and elegant ruby robe. Delicate red fruit aromas. A subtle overtone of wood reveals its spicy bouquet. Remarkable balance with round and ripe tannins. Elegant and silky on the palate, it finishes with a delectable touch of femininity.
This is a great wine to sip on the patio on a hot summer's day or as a cocktail. The wine goes well with shell fish, white fish, sushi and curry, as well as white-meat dishes.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Rich and compact, showing tapenade, black cherries, minty oak, blackberries and some cocoa beans. Full-bodied and polished, with masses of fine-grained tannins and a long, compact finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot.
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Wine Enthusiast
This juicy wine, full of ripe berry flavors and with a core of tannins has great potential. Its balance comes from the acidity and the black fruit flavors. The wine's spice and licorice aroma add to its attractiveness. Drink from 2027. Organic.
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Wine Spectator
This is nicely rendered, with black cherry and cassis notes carried by a supple structure, while sandalwood, dark tea and wet earth form a pretty backdrop. A savory echo lingers. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
While it claims the same basic landscape as the Medoc—only every so slightly elevated above river level—the Haut Medoc is home to all of the magnificent chateaux of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, creating no lack of beautiful sites to see.
These chateaux, residing over the classed-growth cru in the villages of Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St-Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe are within the Haut Medoc appellation. Though within the confines of these villages, any classed-growth chateaux will most certainly claim village or cru status on their wine labels.
Interestingly, some classed-growth cru of the Haut Medoc fall outside of these more famous villages and can certainly be a source of some of the best values in Bordeaux. Deep in color, and concentrated in ripe fruit and tannins, these wines (typically Cabernet Sauvignon-based) often prove the same aging potential of the village classed-growths. Among these, the highest ranked chateaux are Chateau La Lagune and Chateau Cantemerle.