Le Grand Chai Bordeaux 2018

Bordeaux produced superb quality clarets in 2018, particularly well balanced with lovely rich fruit and rounded tannins. Take this velvety, plum filled claret from Le Chai au Quai, a cellar superbly situated on the river in Castillon. Head of winemaking there is Haut-Brion trained Jean-Marc Sauboua, a Bordelais with a brilliant network of contacts. For this wine he cherry picked special parcels of fine Merlot from prime appellations within Bordeaux, using his enviable network of contacts. So this 2018 may have standard ‘Bordeaux’ on the label, but in reality it’s anything but. Crafted at Le Chai, with nine months ageing in barrels, the wine has ripe red fruit with a creamy roundness. Serve with roast meats or stuffed Portabello mushrooms.