Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux AOC, France – 90% Merlot, 10% Malbec
Aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, and plum are accented by graphite, cedar, and dried herbs. The palate is structured yet supple, offering concentrated black fruit, cocoa, and tobacco leaf, framed by firm tannins and balanced acidity. A long, mineral-tinged finish suggests age-worthiness. Decant if drinking now. Ideal with grilled lamb, braised beef, wild mushroom stroganoff, or aged Comté. Grapes are hand-harvested from biodynamic vineyards. Fermented with native yeasts in concrete, then aged for 18 months in oak barrels, with minimal sulphur added at bottling.