Château des Laurets 2017
Grape Varietals: 80% Merlot & 20% Cabernet Franc
Growing Region: Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux - France
Head Winemaker: Fabrice Bandiera
In July 2023, I had the pleasure to spend time with the crew at Château des Laurets. After an early morning drive across the river and over the right-banks gentle rolling hills to the winery, I had the opportunity to visit the vineyards used in crafting this wine. The Château was built in 1860, and this stunning property features on the label, proudly overlooking the estate, winery and vines. There vineyards which date back to the 12th century, are spread across two neighbouring appellations, Montagne Saint-Émilion and Puisseguin Saint-Émilion. They are planted on south-facing slopes with excellent clay-limestone soils which gives this Merlot based Saint-Émilion wine its distinctive taste and character. Baron Benjamin de Rothschild acquired this superb property in 2003, with the aim from the beginning to achieve its finest potential.
After the fruit was harvested, it underwent a period of cold soaking before the fermentation in both oak and temperature controlled stainless steel vats. During post-fermentation the wine had a controlled amount of micro-oxygenation during maceration, along with malolactic fermentation. This 2017 cuvée has 30% new oak, 30% in second fill barrels, and the rest in stainless steel vats, with a period of aging at around 14 months before bottling.
★ On the nose you have laid-back aromas of mixed red and dark berries, along with wild flowers, herbs and a subtle hint of tobacco. These ripe mixed fruits of dark cherries and plums confidently flow across the palate, infused with a fine mineral seam, mild cacao, cigar embers, subtle vanilla oak and all wrapped in supportive fine grained tannins. Resulting in a medium weight wine with an appealing texture and fine structure showcasing the wines confident style and a smooth dry finish.
This 2017 Château des Laurets Merlot / Cabernet Franc has 14% Alc./vol. Crafted in a classic dry style. No decanting required and serve in a generously shaped red wine glass at 16°- 18°C. *NZ$52.00
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Article Posted 21/4/24)
No decanting required, drinking perfectly this season; and should age nicely for another 2 - 3 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with bbq’d pork and lamb cutlets, along with a classic steak frites, mild game dishes with herb-wine-jus, mushroom & truffle pasta, slow cooked earthy vegetarian cuisine, and aged hard cheeses - enjoy.
