Description
Château Saint-Elme Bordeaux Supérieur red 2018. NEW to TOB.
95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Classic old school claret. I was surprised to learn this is only 5% Cabernet Franc because there is an earthy, leathery, woody charm that took me straight back to my first Bordeaux experiences in the early 1990s, which were dominated by the Cabernet-rich wines of the Médoc. Yes there is burly Merlot fruit at the heart of the aromatics but its savoury, minty-cigar box character puts the old school Bordeaux style well in front of the fruit. The palate is medium-full, polished smooth, round and almost quite rich in its gourmet attractiveness. A heavenly trip back to the way Bordeaux used to be and from a minuscule (3.5 hectares) vineyard, discovered on my last trip to Bordeaux in May. Highly recommended.
Drink now to 2025.