L’Aurage 2013
France / Bordeaux / Cotes de Castillon
A gorgeous, deep plum-ruby in colour, velvet-textured, this presents profound toasted oak character on the nose, allied to plump dark fruit, vibrant, primary berried notes, savoury intrigue, leather and spice. The vibrant fresh focus is due in part to the malolactic not having finished but texturally this is luscious, rounded, rich and will become more and more integrated during élevage - beautifully handled - bravo Louis
"Louis Mitjavile produces this from vines planted at the end of the Saint Emilion limestone ridge. Cool soils warrant late harvesting and create great intensity"
-
Merlot blend
-
ABV 14%
-
Drink now / lay down 2017 - 2025
-
Cork
-
Dry
-
Non Vegetarian
EXCLUSIVE PRODUCER
L’Aurage
Louis, hugely talented, had learned his trade whilst working for his father François Mitjavile, the iconic trailblazer at Tertre Roteboeuf in St Emilion and Roc de Cambes in the Côtes de Bourg. Louis had forged a remarkable reputation in his own right, consulting widely, before he acquired this fabulous estate in the Côtes de Castillon, an appellation which borders St Emilion and enjoys the same clay/limestone soil as its esteemed neighbour.
Louis’ aim is to harvest super-ripe grapes which offer intense black fruit, allied to ripe, supple tannins, making for a seductive, richly-textured palate. His challenge in the cellar is to extract the fruit’s full potential in a gentle, regular way and then stabilise the result through long maturation in new oak barriques. Louis wants to see opulence in his wines, rather than concentration, with balance being the overall objective. Domaine de l’Aurage is a tremendous ambassador for the Côtes de Castillon appellation, sumptuous, elegant and long.
Region
Bordeaux
Today’s Bordeaux’ wines retain a certain stoical classicism, whilst meeting more modern expectations of accessibility.