2016 Château Les Gravières

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 88 points

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  1/1/2024 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Muted but developing nose of licorice, and sweet ripe plums. The mouthfeel is soft, with a medium-to-full body.
  
  Surprised how approachable this magnum was, nice early-drinking style.
  
  Interestingly, this is a 100% Merlot from Saint Emilion. The terroir consistes of 4.5 Ha (11 acres) in the communes of St Sulpice de Faleyrens and St Laurent des Combes. The name is drawn from the sandy gravel, and deep gravels as well as cool ferriferous sub-soil.
  
  Vines average an impressive age of 40 years. This is a very modestly priced wine, suitable for pop-and-pour.
  
  Winemaker:
  Denis Barraud recently passed away, on February 3, 2023, having taken over the Chateau and vines from his father back in 1971. He is described in Wine Cellar Insider as a nice man and an enthusiastic owner who will be missed.
  
  Vinification:
  Fermentation in thermostatically controlled stainless steel vats.
  Cold maceration at 6° for 8-10 days before fermentation, long (>30 days) vat fermentation, délestage (the juice is removed and poured back over the cap to moisten and break it up) and pigeage (the cap is forced into the juice).
  
  Malolactic fermentation in new barrels. Aging on lees.
  Aging in 100% new barrels for 16 months.
  
  Damansara Kim, Malaysia
  1st Jan 2024

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  9/21/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 88 Points

  Licorice, smoke, earth and juicy plums pair well with the soft, medium-bodied, red fruits. Easy to drink, the wine will be best on the young side.

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