Chateau Haut Maurac Cru Bourgeois - 2016

75 cl

Falstaff: 92 points

Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.

Grape varieties: Merlot 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Malbec 5%

Vinification:

Hand-picked, followed by natural yeast fermentation in neutral tanks. Maturation takes place in 40% new barriques for 12 months.

Tasting note: Dark ruby-garnet colour, opaque core, subtle edge brightening, delicate fine wood spice, nuances of liquorice, black cherries, floral touch. Juicy, freshly structured, pleasant red berry confit, lingers well, harmonious, mineral finish. The Château Haut-Maurac is a renowned winery in the Bordeaux wine region of France. It is known as Cru Bourgeois is classified and represents high-quality, typical Médoc wines offering excellent value for money. Place: The estate is situated in the north of the peninsula Médoc in the local community Saint-Yzans-de-Médoc. Surroundings: The vines are situated right next to the well-known Château Clos Manou vineyard and look out directly onto the mouth of the Gironde. Terroir: The 22 hectares of vineyards are spread across the gravelly Garonne hilltops of Mazails and the limestone and loam-rich plateaus. This gravelly, loamy subsoil provides excellent water retention and ideal conditions for the grapes to ripen.

Owner: The château is owned by the successful wine entrepreneur Olivier Decelle. Among other things, he also owns the Château Jean Faure (St-Emilion) and Mas Amiel estates in the south of France. Counselling: The winery is supported in the winemaking process by the world-renowned, pioneering oenologist and wine consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt.

Grape variety index: The classic Bordeaux blend usually consists of around 60 % Merlot, 35 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 % Malbec together. The average age of the vines is around 30 years. Vinification: The grapes are harvested plot by plot, with a rigorous selection process carried out on the sorting table. The wine is matured in a very traditional manner for around 18 months, divided between large wooden fermentation vats and classic oak barriques.

flavour profile: The wine is described as exceptionally harmonious, balanced and fresh. It displays concentrated, ripe dark berry fruit (such as blackcurrant, cherries and plums) paired with elegant toasted notes such as smoke, vanilla and a hint of liquorice. The wine’s style combines the power of the Médoc with a charming, approachable fruitiness and supple tannins.