Chateau Rolland-Maillet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Chateau Rolland-Maillet is an aspect of the wider Chateau Le Bon Pasteur, a Bordeaux institution established by the Rolland family in the 1920s. It focuses on producing a Grand Cru from its 3.5-hectare vineyard, on the border of the fabled Saint Émilion appellation. Since 1979, the chateau has been under the leadership of legendary wine consultant Michel Rolland. Michel has succeeded in expressing the terroir of his homeland magnificently, through a red Bordeaux blend of the utmost quality. Chateau Rolland-Maillet’s vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, on rich soils of clay, limestone and gravel. The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a classic taste of Bordeaux, with a nose of juicy red fruits, blackcurrant, fresh tobacco and hints of liquorice. It is medium-bodied, with a precise, mouth-puckering tannic structure. On the palate, it shows notes of fresh strawberry, fleshy plum and cherry, along with background hints of oak, herbs and chocolate. It is deep, rewarding and well-defined, with plenty of room for cellaring and further development. You can’t go wrong by pairing it with gamey meats, rich tomato-based dishes, or mild cheese, such as Comté.

Price: £22.93 from 8wines UK