Notes: Hachette: 2** (Remarkable Wine) + Editor’s Choice, Decanter 4**** (Highly Recommended) and ranked among the 100 best wines of 2011
“The least one can say is that the transition from Luc Touchais to his son Lionel has been a success. For his first vintage, the latter—a trained oenologist—has pulled off a masterstroke. Draped in a crimson velvet robe, this bottle captivates with its bouquet of vibrant aromas: dried fruit, toasted almond, blackberry jam, and red berries. The palate is triumphant: rich, velvety, long-lasting, and supported by a lovely tannic structure, it reveals a balance bordering on perfection. Already very harmonious, it will be just as much so in four or five years. An undisputed favorite, this wine deserves a fine dish: a salmis of wood pigeon to stay in the Médoc spirit." (Guide Hachette des Vins 2012)
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Eye
A beautiful dark color with purple highlights
Nose
The nose reveals notes of dark fruit, cedar, spices, leather, and herbs
Palate
With lovely dark fruit notes, grainy tannins, elegant and delicious acidity, and a rich bouquet of flavors.
Serve
served in a carafe at 17°–18°
Open
and decant it 2 hours beforehand
Drink from
2012
High point
2013
Drink before
2019
Production
65,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
Une viande rouge grillée ou en sauce, de l'agneau rôti, un perdreau rôti, un magret de canard aux cerises, un plateau de fromages affinés...<br/>
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated Estate (2021 Guide) Selected (An estate or winery that impressed us with one or more of its wines, though we are unable to offer a general assessment of the style of its entire range)
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2020 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
About the estate:
A noble estate in the 14th century, this 20-hectare vineyard is dominated by an elegant Carthusian monastery built by Victor Louis in the late 18th century. It was purchased in 1964 by the Touchais family, who had moved from the Anjou region. Luc Touchais began replanting the vineyard in 1973 and passed it on in 2005 to his son Lionel, an oenologist with extensive experience at various foreign estates.
Wine Enthusiast
Rated estate (2020 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)
Jancis Robinson
Rated: Recommended
James Suckling
Rated: Recommended