Chteau la Grolet Ctes de Bourg 2014
The biodynamic Chteau La Grolet is the sister property of Chteau Peybonhomme-les-Tours. It also lies on the right bank, in the appellation of Ctes de Bourg, between the Ctes de Blaye (to the north) and Fronsac (to the southeast). Quite unlike the monotonous flats of the Medoc, the Ctes de Bourg is an area of beautiful landscapes and is sometimes referred to as the ‘little Switzerland of Gironde’.
This is a Bordeaux appellation with an open and proud country personality. Here, the gravel-rich terroir makes for a more firmly structured, virile red than its sibling (Peybonhomme), though with just as much class. This year’s blend is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec, cropped at 25 hl/ha (which is, incredibly, a similar level to the vins de garage of Saint-milion) from vines now approaching their half century.
The wine is crafted without added yeasts in a mixture of concrete and wooden vessels (20%) and the wine is bottled without fining or filtration. Only a little sulphur is used at bottling, otherwise the wine sees no additions at all. There is plenty of dark, savoury fruit with silky tannins promising to meld beautifully with any moist beef or lamb dish–steak frites, please. The wine is pure and clean, yet lacks nothing in the character stakes.
In short, a hearty, super authentic Bordeaux country red that represents, to our minds, remarkably wallet-friendly value. Bargain!
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