Winemaker Notes
Color is deep almost opaque, purplish red, high viscosity, with fuchsia rim. The nose boasts of pure black fruit aromas: blackberry and blackcurrant. The good integration of the wood lifts up all the flavors. Full bodied, yet multilayered it is soft as silk in the mouth. This beautiful wine can be associated with lamb, duck or roasted meats and ideal with mature cheeses (Roquefort, old Gouda, mimolette...
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The flagship, luxury cuvee of 100% Merlot from the innovative, visionary firm of Despagne, Girolate is a cutting edge, amazing tour de force in winemaking. The smoky, chocolaty, espresso, and mocha aromas are interwoven with gorgeous layers of black cherry and berry fruit. This full-bodied, unctuously-textured, layered wine has as much in common with a big Napa Cabernet as it does with a Bordeaux Merlot. Its soft tannin, low acidity, and serious concentration are amazing when you consider its humble pedigree. Enjoy this hedonistic smorgasbord of wonderful things over the next 6-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
The Despagne family returned to tradition with the making of Girolate, planting a vineyard to the former high density, keeping winemaking simple. This is the 2003, the latest release. Reflecting the heat of that vintage, it is soft, textured, rich and spicy, with a southern warmth. Pure superripe Merlot.
In most of France, wines are named by their place of origin and not by the type of grape (with the exception of Alsace). Just like a red Burgundy is by law, always made of Pinot noir, a red Bordeaux is a blended wine composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Depending on the laws of the village from which the grapes come, the conditions of the vintage and decisions of the winemaker, the blend can be further supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and in rare cases, Carmenere. So popular and repeated has this mix of grape varieties become worldwide, that the term, Bordeaux Blend, refers to a wine blended in this style, regardless of origin.
WWH102251_2003 Item# 103224