Saint-Émilion
Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
This lesser-known Bordeaux offers a bold, full-bodied profile with plenty to unpack. The nose opens with dark fruit notes—blackcurrant and prune—layered with red currant and a hint of rose. However, a strong alcohol presence slightly obscures more delicate aromas, including a subtle menthol note.
On the palate, the wine feels rounded and velvety, with tannins that are smooth yet leave a slight, lingering dryness. Earthy flavors of mushroom and a savory, meaty undertone provide complexity, while a restrained oak influence and a touch of caramel add warmth. The mid-palate reveals a smoky edge and herbaceous bell pepper, but the alcohol heat resurfaces, lending a slightly unbalanced sensation. Despite this, the overall structure holds, and the wine remains enjoyable.
Visually, it’s a standout—a deep garnet core with soft amber hues at the edges when tilted. The finish is moderately long, with a bit of residual heat that isn’t a deal-breaker but does place it apart from more refined examples of Right Bank Bordeaux.
In terms of aging, the tannins could soften further with another 3-5 years, which might help the flavors meld and make the alcohol feel less prominent. That said, it very well may be at it's peak now is still very enjoyable now. I paired with a Five Guys cheeseburger and fries, which was actually perfect.
Score: 88
by ultralayzer
5 Comments
So my post doesn’t get taken down:
Saint-Émilion Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
This lesser-known Bordeaux offers a bold, full-bodied profile with plenty to unpack. The nose opens with dark fruit notes—blackcurrant and prune—layered with red currant and a hint of rose. However, a strong alcohol presence slightly obscures more delicate aromas, including a subtle menthol note.
On the palate, the wine feels rounded and velvety, with tannins that are smooth yet leave a slight, lingering dryness. Earthy flavors of mushroom and a savory, meaty undertone provide complexity, while a restrained oak influence and a touch of caramel add warmth. The mid-palate reveals a smoky edge and herbaceous bell pepper, but the alcohol heat resurfaces, lending a slightly unbalanced sensation. Despite this, the overall structure holds, and the wine remains enjoyable.
Visually, it’s a standout—a deep garnet core with soft amber hues at the edges when tilted. The finish is moderately long, with a bit of residual heat that isn’t a deal-breaker but does place it apart from more refined examples of Right Bank Bordeaux.
In terms of aging, the tannins could soften further with another 3-5 years, which might help the flavors meld and make the alcohol feel less prominent. That said, it very well may be at it’s peak now is still very enjoyable now. I paired with a Five Guys cheeseburger and fries, which was actually perfect.
Score: 88
Also, the other day, someone mentioned that they felt non-professionals scoring wines in this sub came off as a bit pretentious and unhelpful. I thought they made a well-reasoned point, but I respectfully disagree.
For me, scores add another dimension to tasting notes, helping frame how a wine compares to others. Descriptions convey the sensory experience, but a score provides a quick snapshot of where the wine stands relative to similar bottles. I’ve been enjoying Bordeaux for over 20 years, but I don’t consider myself an expert—just an enthusiast who finds scoring useful as part of the overall picture.
If you’re in here, my friend, please don’t judge me too harshly.
A fan since 2000. Great wines!
….I need to know what is in that greasy bag…..
Stayed there back in the aughts. The proprietors were lovely and they run the 5 bedroom b&b in the chateau. They were able to hook us up with some great chateau visits. As it was over the Christmas holiday, those visits were led by senior staff or owners and we were the only ones at the wineries. A highlight was a private barrel tasting at Rothschild. Worth a visit for sure.