Chateau Magdelaine Saint Emilion 2006

Château Magdelaine was a historic Saint-Émilion estate owned by the Moueix family from 1952 until its final vintage in 2011, when its vineyards were incorporated into Château Bélair-Monange. The property covered around 10 hectares, with much of the vineyard situated on the limestone plateau and the remainder on clay and limestone slopes. This limestone terroir was central to Magdelaine’s character, giving the wines a distinctive mineral freshness alongside the richness of Merlot. The vineyard was planted predominantly to Merlot, with Cabernet Franc making up the balance. The 2006 vintage was challenging in Saint-Émilion, with a hot first part of the season, a cool and wet August and heavy September rainfall. Careful vineyard work and selection were particularly important, with the best sites retaining freshness and ripe fruit.

The 2006 is predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, traditionally vinified in stainless steel vats before malolactic fermentation and extended ageing in French oak. The wine was aged for around 20 months, with approximately 50% new oak, and the estate's wines were made without fining or filtration. At around 13.5% ABV, the 2006 has developed considerable tertiary character while retaining the freshness associated with Magdelaine's limestone soils. Dark cherry, blackberry and plum sit alongside tobacco, cedar, liquorice, dried herbs, truffle, undergrowth and subtle spice, with fine-grained tannins, bright acidity and a savoury mineral finish. It works particularly well with roast lamb, beef, duck, game, mushroom dishes and mature hard cheeses.