2010 Château Haut-Mazieres Bordeaux Rouge

The Bordeaux region has repeatedly come under the spotlight of the world press due to the stunning results of Cru Classé estates such as Château Margaux and Mouton-Rothschild. However, one must remember that these immensely expensive wines represent only a fraction of what is produced in Bordeaux, and that the real art of "being a wine connoisseur" should be much more about knowing the small, good châteaux, which year after year produce good wines at reasonable prices. A really good example of this is Château Haut-Mazieres, which quietly makes an absolutely excellent wine. In 1998 it was the Merlot-dominated wines that had the greatest success in Bordeaux. The grapes ripened perfectly and gave wines with lots of bold fruit and intensity. Château Haut-Mazieres excels in making a wine with a high content of Merlot. The château is also known for ageing its wine in barrels for extra long, even replacing 25% of the barrels each year, which further enhances the wine's irresistibly fruity character. The wine offers an inviting bouquet of intense red berry fruit with a note of mocha and vanilla. The flavour is generous and full-bodied, leading to a lovely rounded finish. If only all Bordeaux was as well-made as this magnificent wine!