Winemaker Notes
Clos des Lunelles is aged in new oak barrels for 18 to 24 months with rackingevery 3 months. The finial blend is made just before bottling, without finingor filtering.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Perhaps the biggest sleeper of the vintage, the amazing 2004 Clos les Lunelles (owned by Chantal and Gerard Perse) is made from 38-year-old Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) with a touch of Cabernet Franc included in the blend. This Cotes de Castillon vineyard receives the same treatment as Perse’s other properties in St.-Emilion, including one or two deleafings (depending on the vintage conditions) as well as several crop-thinnings (yields were 20 hectoliters per hectare in 2004). The result is a dark ruby/purple-tinged wine boasting fabulous aromas of blackberries, cherries, pain grille, spring flowers, and forest floor. Textured, full-bodied, and fleshy, it tastes like a top classified growth rather than an obscure Cotes de Castillon. Sadly, production is only 1,700 cases.
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.