L'Arrosée 2010

A supple, lighter style of wine in 2010, the 2010 L'Arrosee is stylish and medium to full-bodied, with seductive notes of black cherries, cranberries and mulberries. Some oak is present, but this is a mid-weight, savory, broad and disarming wine to drink over the next 10-15 years.

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The nose on the L'Arrosée is more reticent than its peers; yet well-defined and terroir-driven, unfurling in the glass with mineral-rich black and red fruit intermingled. The palate has a structured, mineral-driven entry with very well judged acidity. There is a lovely core of black tobacco-infused fruit and a very composed, complex finish. Excellent. Tasted January 2014.

Chateau L'Arrosée is situated on the slopes in the heart of the appellation just below Ausone and near to Angelus. Many superb vintages were produced here in the past but quality levels dipped in the 1990s until the Chateau was sold at the beginning of the new millennium. The new owners, the Caille family, have made significant investments and since the 2002 vintage the property has been revitalised.The brand new, high tech winery is hugely impressive and a team of 15 sorters work around a unique circular sorting table painstakingly selecting every grape. The encepagement is 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and, rare for the area, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Plump and modern but not over-extracted, there is a lovely layer of sweet, ripe red fruit and a veneer of creamy oak. Finely balanced and charming, one of the rare Saint Emilions that tastes like proper Saint Emilion.

The nose is full of ripe flavours and this richness give flesh on the palate. There is a strong red fruit influence lots of strawberries and as the tannins are rounded sweet fruit enriches the back palate.

Another fine effort from this consistent estate. Fresh and floral on the nose with well-integrated oak adding complexity. Long and linear in structure but rich on the mid-palate. Harmonious. Drink 2017-2020.