Description
Full, smooth, opulent and inky deep red Bordeaux from the ‘satellite’ appellation of Lalande de Pomerol, right next to the more famous (and significantly more expensive) Pomerol appellation.
TASTING NOTE: Deep, dark black/red colour in the glass, it looks youthful rather than a mature Bordeaux, which would have slightly redder or garnet hues. On the nose: there are plenty of ripe plum, blackcurrant, fig, cherry, dried cranberry and liquorice aromas along with slight herb notes and subtle toast/spice from some oak ageing. On the palate: supple tannins that are well-balanced but in the background, given the lush fruitiness and full body that this wine has. It’s smooth and round, with moderate acidity and alcohol. It’s packed with flavour and very smooth!
FOOD PAIRING, STORING AND SERVING: A very hearty, full red with lots of dark fruit character. It goes well with gamey dishes, particularly robust casseroles and stews with spice, as well as roast beef, Spring lamb, roast game as well as mature cheeses. For a vegetarian/vegan dish, try tagine with spice and black fruits/figs/raisins. It’s very able to stand up to flavourful courses so also try lamb pie, mushroom pie or aubergine gratin. It is drinking very well now but will easily keep till end 2027. No need to decant but it may open and aerate slightly with 1-2 hours in the decanter.
ABOUT: Chateau des Moines has been a family estate for several generations; it’s now 20 hectares in size (about 50 acres). It combines traditional vineyard practices, eg ploughing and inter-row grassing, with modern wine-making tools such as temperature control equipment and a pneumatic press, to preserve the delicate grape aromas and avoid any bitterness in the wines. It’s based in Lalande de Pomerol, a good appellation sitting next to more famous Pomerol vineyards. Grab a ‘Lalande’ when you can, they are lovely to taste and easy on the wallet compared to their neighbour!
