2009 La Cour d'Argent

Tasted at a negociant. A light red-berried nose, the alcohol a little warm and masking the fruit profile. The palate is medium-bodied, quite spicy and aromatic, showing some coarseness towards the finish. Dry tannins on the finish. Tasted March 2010.

This is another sleeper selection made from 100% Merlot, and there is lots of it, since the vineyard is over 70 acres in size and the production nearly 10,000 cases. Owner and winemaker Denis Barraud ferments the wine in stainless steel and ages it in older oak. In 2009 the wine is pure fruit, with oodles of black cherry and black currant along with hints of earth and underbrush. With attractive plump texture, as one would expect in this vintage, low acidity and impressive purity, this is a great value. Drink it over the next 1-3 years. Wine Advocate.February, 2012