| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The large wall in ruins approaching St.-Emilion from the north that stands looming over a vineyard at the very entrance to the village is actually owned by this chateau. This is another tiny estate of just over three acres, and it is looked after with impeccable handling by the staff of Michel Rolland. Deep bluish/purple in color, with plenty of black raspberry, blueberry and crushed rock notes, the 2009 Les Grandes Murailles is soft, opulent, round, charming and seductive. It is a beautiful wine, although there is very little of it, but it should drink nicely for 15 or more years.
Sweet tobacco and berry aromas follow through to a medium body, with chocolate, vanilla and blueberry character. Pretty, but a little underwhelming.
Rich and powerful in terms of body and structure. Needs time to settle. Drink 2015-2026.
The sweet black fruit character of this rich and silky St.-Emilion is augmented by notes of mushrooms and terracotta, the powdery tannins perfectly integrated at the long supple finish. Lovely harmony. Drink now. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)
This wine is often characterized by beautifully ripe raspberry and black currant fruit with hints of earth and spice. It is always supple-textured and very elegant, with broad texture, and those qualities are exaggerated in 2009 because of low yields of 36 hectoliters per hectare and natural alcohol of 14%. The wine has still retained its elegance, but it is a bigger, richer, denser wine with slightly more tannin than normal. This wine should drink nicely for 15 or more years. (Tasted four times.) Drink 2010-2025.
Tasted at the Association de Crus Classé tasting at Grand Pontet. This has a very ripe blueberry and black plum scented nose with a touch of vanilla essence...perhaps a little glossy for my liking. I prefer the palate at the moment: bright black fruits, quite a zesty Saint Emilion, joyful, with a taut, zingy black cherry finish with fine minerality. This is promising for after bottling - once that nose calms down! Tasted March 2010.
