Château la Motte Sicard 2018

A Bordeaux that illustrates you don't always need a grand appellation to bag a great wine. This is a richly plummy and well-structured claret that was made to go the distance. It will age gracefully for a few years, although it makes very pleasing drinking now too. It's from a small estate founded in the 1940s by the current owner's grandfather. On the limestone and clay soils, the Leroux family grows pure Merlot that sings of creamy plum, cedar and roses in this wine. All fruit, no oak, and well balanced, with great length, a top-vintage red to savour. There's no added sulphur during the winemaking, only a little to protect at bottling. Please note, the wine has sediment, so needs standing up a few hours and carefully decanting.