Château Vieux Sarpe, 'Saint-Émilion Grand Cru', 2012, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (AOC)

'One-Liner'
Mature Saint-Émilion with plenty of life – ripe red fruit, tobacco and gentle toast wrapped in smooth, finely evolved tannins.

Tasting Note
Deep garnet with the beginnings of brick at the rim, opening with ripe plum, red cherry and darker berry fruit alongside tobacco, cedar and gentle toasted notes. The palate is rounded and generous, with mature fruit supported by fine, silky tannins rather than brute force. Savoury hints of earth, dried herbs and warm spice add complexity as the wine opens in the glass. There is still freshness underneath the richness, keeping this mature Saint-Émilion balanced and composed. Long and supple on the finish, with fruit, tobacco and lightly toasted oak lingering behind.

Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Saint-Émilion AOC
Grape(s): 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
ABV: 13.5%
Friendly: n/a

Awards & Critics' Scores
Guide Hachette des Vins 2016 – 1 Star, “Vin très réussi”

The Story
Château Vieux Sarpe occupies around seven hectares on the limestone plateau immediately east of the medieval town of Saint-Émilion, between the vineyards of Trottevieille and Haut-Sarpe. The property was acquired by the Janoueix family in 1964 and sits on clay-limestone over a bedrock of marine limestone, with vines averaging around fifty years of age. Grapes are harvested by hand and the estate traditionally uses a mixture of concrete, wooden and stainless-steel vats, followed by barrel ageing. The 2012 vintage has now moved firmly into mature Bordeaux territory, with the fruit softening into savoury, tobacco and toasted notes while retaining the rounded texture and fine tannins that characterised it from release.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Slow-braised beef goulash with sweet paprika and caraway
- Vegetarian: Baked celeriac with wild mushrooms, thyme and hazelnuts
- Vegan: Roast celeriac with Puy lentils, braised shallots and peppercorn jus