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Chateau Meyney Saint Estephe

2012

A serious St Estèphe that regularly receives high praise.

It’s commonly thought that Château Meyney should have gained Grand Cru Classé status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, though since that’s not the case, there’s good value to be had here.

Winemaker Anne Le Naour and her team raised their game, creating a wine of character and precision. Dense black fruits lead on the nose, with graphite and a sappiness that’s typical of St Estèphe. Fine tannins with a delightfully fresh finish, it’s drinking well now, though you could hold on to it for longer.

Château Meyney was one of the first sites in the Médoc to be planted with vines. In 1662, it was a convent mentioned in records under the names Couvent des Feuillants or Prieuré des Couleys. It belonged to the Feuillants monks. Today, the estate stretches over some of the best hilltops above the Gironde Estuary. The river lying alongside the first rows of vines makes for a majestic, serene landscape.

The Château Meyney vineyard is planted on perfectly drained siliceous gravel terroir, ideal conditions for the maturity of the grapes. The blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and supplemented by 10% to 20% Petit Verdot depending on the vintage, from mass selection vines. These very old vines planted in the 1950s give the wine a very deep black colour, spicy notes and a racy style. The castle teams watch over this rare and historic genetic heritage of the property.

Details

More Information
Wine Type	Red wine
Closure	Natural Cork
Alc. Vol	13.5
Units	10.2
Region	Bordeaux
Country	France
Grape Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

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France

France – the home of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne – is arguably the world's most important wine-producing country. For centuries, it has produced wine in greater quantity – and many would say quality – than any other nation, and its attraction is not just volume or prestige, but also the variety of styles available.

The diversity of French wine is due, in part, to the country's wide range of climates. Champagne, its most northerly region, has one of the coolest climates, whereas Bordeaux has a maritime climate, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the various rivers that wind their way between vineyards. Both in stark contrast to the southern regions of Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, which enjoy a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters.

Terroir is also key. From the granite hills of Beaujolais to the famous chalky slopes of Chablis and the gravels of the Médoc, the sites and soils on which France's vineyards have been developed are considered of vital importance and are at the heart of the concept of terroir.

Bordeaux

The largest wine making region in France, and probably the most well known, Bordeaux is located in the southwest on the Garonne river. To the north of the city the Dordogne river joins the Garonne and forms a broad estuary called the Gironde. The Gironde divides the region into what is known as the 'left bank' and 'right bank'.

In general, the left bank is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines and the right bank for its Merlot.

Dry white wines and dessert wines (notably Sauternes) are also made, but it's red wine that the region is most known for. The most famous of all is the red Bordeaux blend, a mixture of two or more of the region's grapes that boasts flavors of plum, black currant, and cedar with fresh floral notes.

Left bank appellations include Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Margaux and Pauillac. On the right bank you'll find Fronsac, Pomerol and St-Emilion.

Merlot

From its homeland in Bordeaux, the black grape variety Merlot has been exported and planted throughout the world. It’s very versatile in that it can produce both light, fruity wines intended for immediate consumption, as well as pronounced, concentrated wines that improve with oak and ageing. It is often used to add softness and red-fruit flavours to blends that have more tannic grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon.

New World wine regions (California, Chile) tend to emphasize late harvesting for extra ripeness, producing wines that are fuller-bodied with high alcohol, intense plum and blackberry fruit, and velvety tannins. Old World wine regions typically favour harvesting earlier to maintain acidity, producing medium-bodied wines with moderate alcohol levels that have fresh, red fruit flavours (raspberries, strawberries) and leafy, vegetal notes. This is a traditional "Bordeaux style" of Merlot.

In the early 90s, Merlot suffered from a poor public image. In California, most were soft, flabby and borderline sweet. Then, when the movie Sideways came out in 2004 – “if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving” – Merlot sales dropped almost 2% (while Pinot Noir sales increased 16%). Thankfully, things are a bit brighter for Merlot these days.

Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the most well-known grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon makes some of the world's finest red wines, whether on its own or blended with other varieties. Surprisingly, it is a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, France.

Cabernet Sauvignon is loved for its high concentration and age worthiness. The intense flavour and high tannin content make it the perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with bold flavours.

Old World Cabernet Sauvignons, aka your classic French Bordeaux bottles, tend to have a brooding character, with robust tannins adding structure and blackcurrant fruit shining through. In the New World - California and the southern hemisphere (Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia) - Cabernets tend to develop a sense of fullness and weight. Rich in blackcurrant, mint and occasionally green bell pepper flavours along with firm tannins.