Château de Rouquette AOC Bordeaux Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017

The 18th century chartreuse and estate that make up Château de Rouquette in Loupiac were purchased by Sandrine and Jean-Christophe’s father in the 1960s. 16.5 hectares of vines are planted on deep gravelly soils at the top of the hill that faces south-south-west across to the vineyards of Sauternes on the opposite side of the Garonne River. The vines have an average age of approximately 40 years and enjoy the deep soils and southern exposure to reach full ripeness. The height and slope mean that this vineyard was less affected by the severe frost that struck in April 2017 as cold air rolled down. Château de Rouquette Bordeaux Red 2017 is concentrated and structured with good depth and earthy dark fruit flavours. It is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in one-year-old oak barrels for 18 months.