La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint Julien Cuvee Colbert 2017 750ml

The 2017 Cuvée Colbert is a 6,000 bottle production that I have never heard of until it magically appeared at one of my tastings in Bordeaux. It differs from the regular La Croix de Beaucaillou in terms of ageing: matured in a foudres made from ancient oak trees specially sourced from a cooperage. “Colbert” was in fact King Louis XIV’s Minister of Finance who administered the planting of vast tracts of France with oak trees, thus sowing the seeds, literally, for the country’s barrel industry. It debuted with the 2013 vintage. It has a lovely bouquet with well defined raspberry, wild strawberry, cedar and camphor aromas, the latter becoming stronger with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very gentle and caressing, to the point where it disguises the power and depth on the finish. This is so seductive that you could drink this now, especially due to the seamless finish. Superb. [This cuvée is distributed exclusively by the Duclot négociant.]

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Saint Julien
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red
• Alcohol by Vol: 13.5%

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.