Montlabert St Emilion Grand Cru 2018

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Montlabert
Label Name:
 
St Emilion Grand Cru
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
Merlot (≈80%), Cabernet Franc (≈20%)
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
James Suckling 93; Wine Enthusiast 91–93; Vinous 88–90; Falstaff 93; Decanter ~91

Tasting Note
Ripe blackberry and cassis with dark chocolate, walnut and baking-spice notes; earthy graphite and subtle cedar from oak. Full-bodied, juicy acidity, firm ripe tannins and a long savory finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, entrecôte steak, beef stew, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses. Asian: Peking duck, char siu, Korean BBQ (galbi), braised pork belly, shiitake and soy-braised dishes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested; traditional, temperature-controlled fermentation; ~14 months élevage in French oak barrels (portion new oak).

Vineyard Info
Château Montlabert (Castel family ownership since 2008), ~21 ha on gravelly soils over clay; consultant Hubert de Bouärd; managed with reasoned viticulture; substantial single-vintage production.