Parts of Château Argadens date back to the 12th century, so when the Sichel family purchased the property in 2002, they underwent extensive renovations and investment to highlight and preserve the site. This is Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on 5 hectares of clay and limestone, in a single plot on one of the highest hills of the rolling Entre-Deux-Mers wine region (one of the highest points of the Gironde). Worn cherry, red plum, smoked wood and finely ground baking spices fill the medium-bodied palate, one finely strung, framed with tobacco tannins and trailing with dusty, drying gravels. Best appreciated with roasted beef. This spent 12 to 14 months in French oak, 25% new, before gentle fining and filtering. Classically drinkable, structured Bordeaux and priced appropriately.
Bright cherry fruit with peppery spice scents and lively fresh sour cherry flavours in the mouth exhibit typical young Beaujolais exuberance marred by slightly over-sweet cherry cola character.
Dense purple in colour with a cedary, plum nose; medium to full-bodied, dry, savoury plum and black cherry flavours; firmly structured with a silky mouthfeel.
Deep purple-ruby colour; cedary-herbal, blackberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, firmly structured with fresh acidity, ripe tannins and a pencil lead note on the finish.
Domaine de Pellehaut has been owned and managed by successive generations of the Béraut family for over 300 years. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Syrah, Malbec and Pinot Noir, averaging 27 years of age, go into this medium-bodied Côtes de Gascogne blend. Dusky black cherry, black plum and cassis along a raft of silky fine tannins to a juicy, plum swelled and peppery finish. Easy to drink and enjoy now; an ideal bistro red at an exceptional price or pour liberally around the barbecue.
Clear medium-deep garnet. Middling nose of sour cherry and leather. Medium-bodied with bright but simple and thin raspberry/cherry flavours and bitter tannins on the finish. Drink up.
Clear deep purple-garnet. Medium-intensity nose with plum, date, raisin and coconut from the oak. Medium-bodied with more oak flavours over ripe sour cherries. Alcohol tastes prominently. Drink in 2018.