| St Emilion, Bordeaux Cantenac is a reasonably priced St.-Emilion, a commodity that is increasingly difficult to find. While not complex, it is a fruit-driven, fat, ripe, in-your-face effort that will provide tasty drinking over the next 5-6 years Rated 87-88 Points Robert Parker Appellation Saint-Emilion Grand Cru contrôlée Nicole Roskam Brunot manages this wine growing estate with great care. She belongs to the third generation of wine makers, and has carried on the tradition of fine wines. A long family tradition: over 100 years! The CHATEAU CANTENAC vineyards are located around a pretty 19th century residence, on the extension of the slopes of Saint-Emilion, to the west of the medieval city. VINEYARD: 12 hectares, with 600 vine-plants per hectare, SOIL: sand and gravel, on clay. AGE: 20 years on average. GRAPE-VARIETIES: 80% merlot noir, 19% cabernet franc, 1% cabernet sauvignon. VINIFICATION: Combines traditional and modern techniques. The grapes are picked when optimally mature. Grape de-stalking, crop thermoregulation. Approximately 21 days' fermentation on the skins to ensure good substance extraction. MATURATION: In tanks and then in casks (15 to 30% in new oak casks giving them such fine woody, vanilla flavours on tasting). Several rackings, and fining to produce a beautiful shiny red colour. More information athttp://www.chateau-cantenac.fr/hten/ |
