Varietal mix Bordeaux varieties
50 % Merlot

Mediterranean varieties
39 % Syrah
11 % Malbec

Tasting notes

The wine is a deep, glittering garnet red.

The expressive nose reveals aromas of black berry fruit and bigarreau cherries, delicately mingled with eucalyptus. Subtle minty and peppery notes complete the complex and elegant bouquet.

The attack is clean and full-bodied, while the attractively complex, full and pleasant mid-palate recalls generous cherry, eucalyptus and liquorice flavours, developing notes of spice with airing. A good tannic structure, close-knit and refined, gives the wine a long and harmonious finish.

2011 was the hottest year since 2003, with normal rainfall of 594 mm.

A warm and dry spring was followed by cool and damp conditions in early summer, then by hot and dry weather in the later summer months.

Budbreak occurred a week earlier than in an average year, starting on 22 March for the Merlot and ending on 4 April for the Cabernet Sauvignon.

As a result of the fine spring weather, flowering took place two weeks earlier than the average, from 14 May to 1 June.

Cool and damp weather in July slowed vegetation growth. Veraison started on 22 July for the Merlot and ended on 14 August for the Cabernet Sauvignon, only six days ahead of the normal time.

August, September and early October were particularly hot, accelerating the ripening process. Picking took place in excellent conditions and ended thirteen days earlier than in a normal year.