Vieux Chateau Mazerat Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2011 (Chateau Teyssier)

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for 2 hours or more before serving. This is a top-tier rendition of Saint Emilion, composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, harvested from a vineyard in the heart of the famous Bordeaux appellation. It offers a compelling nose of blackberry, raspberry, cassis, and chocolate, with layers of graphite, leather, and dried herbs. Vieux Chateau Mazerat is one of Jonathan Maltus’ sterling Saint Emilion projects, located just to the east of Angélus. It comprises 5 hectares in all, and like Maltus’ other scaled-down projects (Le Carré and Les Asteries included), it is fermented and bottled in the Chateau Teyssier headquarters, on the right bank of the Gironde. This Grand Cru wine begins with a meaty, full-bodied palate, showing dense tannins and vibrant acidity. However, despite its big character, it still retains a classic right-bank silkiness. In terms of flavour, you can discover chewy, satisfying notes of black cherry, ripe plum, and cassis, with strong secondary hints of cocoa, liquorice, black olive, and crushed stone minerality. It ends with a lingering, spicy finish. Enjoyable in its youth, but can also be aged for 20 years or more after the bottling date. Consider pairing this wine with osso bucco, prime rib, or a rich stew.