Winemaker Notes
Blend: 91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Blackcurrant and cherry, smells quite heady and concentrated with lifted floral edges. Supple and agile, this has a nice bounce to the expression on palate, a lovely weight in the clear concentration and just-fleshy red berry fruit yet keeps the direction from start to finish. Touches of bitter liquorice, dark chocolate and wet stone on the finish. Long and lovely with a real understone of understated power, this has character and will be a beauty. Great freshness and balance. An upscore from Primeurs.
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James Suckling
A fresh, juicy Bordeaux full of currants, and red and blue berries with a touch of spice and hibiscus. Medium-bodied on the palate with fresh, nimble berry fruit and firm tannins.
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Vinous
The 2021 Alcée is round, succulent and super-expressive. A host of perfumed and savory top notes add aromatic presence to this charming, mid-weight Cotes de Bordeaux from Nicolas Thienpont. All the elements are impeccably balanced. Bright acids pull it all together on a finish laced with attractive floral and savory overtones. –Antonio Galloni
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Alcée derives from vines growing in red clay over limestone opposite La Prade, as well as holdings in Saint-Philippe d’Aiguille. Exhibiting aromas of juicy cherries, berries, tobacco and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and impressively concentrated, with tangy acids and youthfully chewy tannins. This is a strong effort from Nicolas Thienpont and his team. Barrel Sample: 88 - 90+.
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.
Though the region is larger than many of its Right Bank neighbors, it is one that consistently produces high quality, well-valued red wines. In fact, Cotes de Castillon can almost be considered a geographical eastern extension of St. Emilion, producing similarly-fashioned reds based on Merlot.
Vineyards in the region’s clay, limestone and sandstone soils produce sturdy red wines. On alluvial terraces, in vineyards closer to the Dordogne River, wines tend to be more supple and fruity. In either case, a great Cotes de Castillon red will be bursting with raspberry, plum and blueberry, have an enticing bouquet of dried flowers and a finish that is plush and opulent.