Le Carre Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2011

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for 2 hours or more before serving. Le Carré is a single vineyard wine from the Right Bank of the Gironde, bursting with scents of ripe black fruit, dried herbs, leather, and chocolate with a vein of graphite minerality. It is a classic, velvety Saint Emilion blend, composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Le Carré, meaning “The Square”, is another section of Bordeaux owned and operated by Jonathan Maltus, an English entrepreneur and winemaker with stakes in Chateau Laforge, Le Dome, and Chateau Teyssier. It’s an ideal location for bold red wines, as the vines grow on a white limestone base with a thin layer of clayish soil, and the winery itself is located near the centre of the town of Saint Emilion. On the palate, Le Carré is delightfully smooth and ripe, with succulent tannins and heightened acidity. Look for notes of blackberry, raspberry, and boysenberry, supported by a side of dark chocolate, raisin, dried herbs, and an animalistic musk. The finish reveals an excellent, chalky minerality. It is approachable for drinking now, but can also be cellared for some time. Consider pairing it with tender beef, pungent cheese, or an eggplant Parmesan.