2004 Bellisle-Mondotte

80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Owned by the Escure family. Soil is chalky clay and the vineyard extends to 4.54 ha. Average vine age is 30 years. Leaf thinning and green harvest depending on the vintage. Grapes are handpicked with successive sorting. Fermented in stainless steel vats for two weeks. Extraction by punching down the cap of skins. Aged for 20 months in oak barrels of which 50% are new each year. Lovely shaded, natural colour. Pretty deep! Rich start and lots of broad pleasure. Not exaggerated – good balance. Not too sweet and the oak is not evident at all. Well done! (JR)