Varietal mix 50% Merlot
37% Syrah
10% Malbec
3% Cabernet Franc

Maturing 6 months in one- or two-year-old barrels
Barrels from Château Mouton Rothschild

Tasting notes

A beautifully clear, dark garnet red. Initially refined and discreet, the nose opens up with airing to reveal more intense black berry fruit, bergamot and marzipan notes. The rich and balanced attack extends into the mid-palate, revealing a mature body with a satin texture.
The forward but already well-integrated tannic structure contributes to the overall impression of harmony, with camphor and liquorice notes rounding off a very attractive range of flavours. The finish is long and very supple.

The winter of 2015-2016 was particularly mild: the estate’s weather stations recorded only five mornings of frost over the entire winter period and temperatures were 1 to 2° C higher than normal. 252 mm of rain fell between 1 November 2015 and 31 March 2016, helping to reconstitute water reserves in the soil.

Budbreak came early, starting on 18 March for the Syrah and ending on 1 April for the Cabernet Sauvignon, ten days earlier than the average. The usual amount of rain fell in April, May and June but the weather was cool, with average temperatures 1° C lower than normal, holding back vegetation growth. Flowering took place from 3 to 15 June, five days later than the average.

July, August and September were hot and dry, with temperatures 1° C higher than normal and only 35 mm of rainfall. However, the estate’s clay-limestone soil proved resistant to drought. Veraison took place from 4 to 22 August, the usual dates for the estate.

Thanks to very fine late-summer weather, the grapes reached optimum maturity in perfect health. The harvest took place in excellent conditions and ended three days earlier than in an average year.