Château Relais de la Poste - Cuvée Malbec 2016

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Very smoky, spicy nose with notes of morello cherry and blackberry; full-bodied on the palate, with rich, velvety tannins, vigor, and length. Lots of presence and character.

About the estate:

The estate was indeed a coaching post in the 18th century, but it has only been making a name for itself in the wine world since the beginning of this millennium. Under the guidance of Olivier Dauga, a leading expert on affordable Bordeaux wines, the estate produces fruity and indulgent Côtes de Bourg wines that are entirely refined. This cuvée is made from Malbec, a grape variety that was once widely planted throughout the southwest of France but is now found only in the Blayais-Bourgeais region, in Cahors (where it is known as “cot” or “auxerrois”), and also… in Argentina.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

A 25-hectare estate in the Blayais and Bourgeais regions, centered around a former coaching inn dating from 1750. Known for its consistent quality, it has been managed by Bruno Drode since 1985.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2016 Malbec from Château Relais de la Poste is aged in American oak that has been dried for an extended period. It has an alluring nose of blackberry, dark chocolate, and a hint of black pepper that intensifies in the glass. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a slightly chewy attack, evolving into a fairly lively mid-palate tinged with white pepper, featuring tannins that are finer than I expected. The Malbec truly comes into its own here, delivering a minty freshness on the finish. Enjoy it over the next 5 or 6 years.