Mission Codename Way of the blend
“By the way, I recently had the 2000 Magrez-Fombrauge (which I believe is the first vintage), and at age 14 it was outstanding.” - Robert Parker
We’re calling down the THUNDER today!
A massive, Charles Bronsonesque Saint-Emilion from one of the best producers in the region. If you like them big, rich, and complex this will be your huckleberry.
Virtually impossible to find in the states, and all but a myth at our price. But today it’s here, at 50% OFF…until it’s not.
Bernard Magrez is a tour de force in wine. He owns a mind-boggling 42+ wineries, among them a few legendary names like Château La Tour Carnet, Château Pape Clément, Clos Haut-Peyraguey and Château Fombrauge.
This historic estate harvested its first grapes way back in 1599, and today represents the largest Grand Cru Classe in Saint-Emilion.
This has some Rocky “I must break you” vibes - a DEEP and concentrated blend of 70% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc that’s the opposite of timid. Surely not your earthy, graphite laden Bordeaux. With 10+ years it has BARELY aged - testament to Parker’s observation that it “will age effortlessly for 15-20 years”. In fact, we might say it’s developed into its full potential at this point.
The fruit shows little age, and it’s a powerful and explosive wine. Loaded with crushed stones, black cherry, licorice, black currant jam, dark roasted coffee, toasted vanilla bean, burnt brown sugar, and shaved dark chocolate. The tannins have resolved into softer, manageable little things and the finish simply doesn’t quit.
Not much of this one so if you’re interested, make your move.
96 points - Wine Advocate
”A flowery nose of ripe plums, blueberries, truffles and roasted meats jumps from the glass of this inky/purple-colored 2011. Made from a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, it reveals super-richness, velvety tannin, a skyscraper-like mid-palate, and not a hard edge to be found. It is another remarkable effort in this challenging vintage. Its 14.5% natural alcohol is incredible given the growing conditions. This gorgeous boutique St.-Emilion, one of the stars of the vintage, will evolve effortlessly for 15-20 years. By the way, I recently had the 2000 Magrez-Fombrauge (which I believe is the first vintage), and at age 14 it was outstanding.”
What the Winery Says
2011 St.-Émilion Grand Cru
- Winemaker
- Michael Rolland
- Varietals
- 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
- Vintage
- 2011
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Appellation
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France
- Average Vine Age
- 35 years
- Soil Type
- Clay-limestone and molasses from the Fronsac area
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- French Oak