Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 01/03/2017
About this WINE
Merlot
The most widely planted grape in Bordeaux and a grape that has been on a relentless expansion drive throughout the world in the last decade. Merlot is adaptable to most soils and is relatively simple to cultivate. It is a vigorous naturally high yielding grape that requires savage pruning - over-cropped Merlot-based wines are dilute and bland. It is also vital to pick at optimum ripeness as Merlot can quickly lose its varietal characteristics if harvested overripe.
In St.Emilion and Pomerol it withstands the moist clay rich soils far better than Cabernet grapes, and at it best produces opulently rich, plummy clarets with succulent fruitcake-like nuances. Le Pin, Pétrus and Clinet are examples of hedonistically rich Merlot wines at their very best. It also plays a key supporting role in filling out the middle palate of the Cabernet-dominated wines of the Médoc and Graves.
Merlot is now grown in virtually all wine growing countries and is particularly successful in California, Chile and Northern Italy.
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Description
Tasted blind at the Valandraud vertical at the property, the 2004 Valandraud was picked between 13 and 18 October, and consists of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It has a more rounded and fruit-driven bouquet than the 2004 Cheval Blanc, with red plum, Hoi Sin, marmalade and even dried honeyed aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, rounded and caressing tannin. There is impressive body and concentration for a 2004, quite grippy in the mouth and it fans out with conviction on the finish with raspberry coulis, wild strawberry, white pepper and cedar notes. This shows up its 2003 counterpart and it should drink well for another 8-10 years. Tasted December 2016.
Neal Martin - 01/03/2017
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