BLEND: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot.
BEST SERVED AT: 16°
DECANTING  2 hours
MATCHING WITH FOOD: A stew of young hare in pimento and bitter chocolate sauce.

TASTING

After exceptional vintages in 2009 and 2010, the odds were stacked against 2011.
The year did have its fair share of extreme weather conditions (an early dry spell, very hight temperatures in June), but there were nonetheless plenty of encouraging signs which suggested that 2011 had the potential to be a strong vintage: an excellent flowering, limited water supply and superb conditions during the harvest period, ideal weather for the grapes to finish maturing.
Of course we had to be vigilant, adapting and readapting our strategies for protecting the vines and the soil against climatic variations which were unusual and often extreme. These difficult conditions made for a relatively low yield, and we employed a rigorous selection process to get the very best from the fruit.
And the end result reflects the year's great potential: excellent technical and phenolic maturity, very hight anthocyanin levels, superb tannins from the grape skins and a very classic sense of belance.

TO THE EYE: A beautiful, intense sparkling garnet red. When held up to the light, crimson and violet tints can be detected. Incomparable brilliance.

ON THE NOSE: From the outset the powerful, harmonious bouquet releases roasted-coffee notes along with hints of mocha and Tonka beans wrapped up in a delicious vanilla-tinged woodiness, all backed up by spicier aromas in which notes of clove and pepper stand out.

AFTER AIRING: As the bouquet evolves the dominant notes are defined against a mineral backdrop in which hints of graphite emerge, backed up by nuances of bitter cocoa and liquorice. After a few minutes of oxygenation, the aromatic structure intensifies and, in successive touches, more burnt notes of sandalwood and mild spices (cinnamon) appear.

ON THE PALATE: The tannins are very silky, providing a smooth, delicate, supple texture without any excess woodiness. The texture of this suave, full wine gets richer as the tasting goes on but without the slightest aggressiveness, while the tannic structure is pleasingly pronounced. The finish is long-lasting and supple with mineral notes combining flavours of graphite and hot chocolate, all backed up by a lightly woody, fresh texture.