Chateau Laforge Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for 2 hours or more before serving. This stunning Bordeaux is packed with red and black fruits, and a wealth of spice and mineral character. It appears a reddish-purple colour in the glass, hinting at the luxurious palate to follow. The fruits are an interesting blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and all were harvested from inside the Saint Emilion AOC, on the right bank of the Gironde. Since 1998, Chateau Laforge has been owned and operated by Jonathan Maltus, an English winemaker who also has stakes in Chateau Teyssier and Le Dome. Before Maltus, the domain allegedly belonged to a blacksmith, who assembled the estate piece by piece, which explains the winery’s patchwork selection of vineyards that spread across Saint Emilion. In the mouth, the Saint Emilion Grand Cru is loaded with fresh acidity and finely-grained tannins, giving it a youthful character, despite its long ageing ability. Look for notes of boysenberry, sour cherry, rose petals, and gingery fruit cake, with an edge of crushed stone minerality and an aromatic finish. This is a classic, smooth Right Bank Bordeaux, and deserves to be paired with a mature cheese, a fine steak, or a plate of roast vegetables.

Price: £32.82 from 8wines UK