2022 Château MAHON-LAVILLE. Graves, Bordeaux Supérieur.

The wine is made from a 1.3ha plot near the Graves district and is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on clay and loam soils.

Owned and made by Jean-Christophe Barbe – a professor of oenology at Bordeaux University (already known to Old Bridge wine lovers with his brilliant Sauternes Château Laville).

2019 was a fabulous warm vintage in Bordeaux making heady and fruity red wines but with plenty of freshness, texture, and balance.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak (25% new) for 12 months. This has elevated cassis fruit notes on both the nose and palate, with lovely texture and rounded mouthfeel. There is a fine spice and pepper note, touch of cedar and a lick of toasty oak.

The Mahon-Laville is open and expressive now but capable of aging nicely over the next 5 years.