Winemaker Notes
Best when enjoyed with fine food, the wines express a subtle balance between the natural suppleness of Merlot and the distinctive elegance imparted by the limestone soils. Château Magdelaine will age remarkably well and is best when enjoyed at its maturity (five to 15 years).
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A dark, dry wine that shows its strong, firm tannins. The wine is well structured, with flavors of mint, new wood and a layer of blackberry fruit.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 Points -
James Suckling
Pretty and balanced with delicious ripe fruit and fine tannins. Fresh acidity too. A nice density for the vintage.
Barrel Sample: 91-92 Points -
Wine Spectator
Shows a light menthol note before giving way to a smoky, tobacco-infused core of plum and black cherry fruit, revealing perfumy black tea and singed sandalwood details that frame the finish. Seems restrained, with a chalky echo holding sway on the finish. Offers ample depth.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Fresh black cherry, licorice, kirsch and chalk-like notes are present in this medium-bodied, dark ruby-colored, classic effort. This mid-weight, lively 2011 is best drunk over the next 10-15 years.
Barrel Sample: 88-90 Points
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.
Marked by its historic fortified village—perhaps the prettiest in all of Bordeaux, the St-Émilion appellation, along with its neighboring village of Pomerol, are leaders in quality on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These Merlot-dominant red wines (complemented by various amounts of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon) remain some of the most admired and collected wines of the world.
St-Émilion has the longest history in wine production in Bordeaux—longer than the Left Bank—dating back to an 8th century monk named Saint Émilion who became a hermit in one of the many limestone caves scattered throughout the area.
Today St-Émilion is made up of hundreds of independent farmers dedicated to the same thing: growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon). While always roughly the same blend, the wines of St-Émilion vary considerably depending on the soil upon which they are grown—and the soils do vary considerably throughout the region.
The chateaux with the highest classification (Premier Grand Cru Classés) are on gravel-rich soils or steep, clay-limestone hillsides. There are only four given the highest rank, called Premier Grand Cru Classés A (Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angélus, Pavie) and 14 are Premier Grand Cru Classés B. Much of the rest of the vineyards in the appellation are on flatter land where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial matter.
Great wines from St-Émilion will be deep in color, and might have characteristics of blackberry liqueur, black raspberry, licorice, chocolate, grilled meat, earth or truffles. They will be bold, layered and lush.