Thursday, 14 November 2013

Essence de Dourthe 2008

This is a special cuvee from the Bordeaux negociant Dourthe, made from the best fruits of five of its top vineyards, Belgrave (Haut Medoc), Le Boscq (St Estephe), Pey la Tour (Bordeaux Superieure), La Garde (Pessac-Leognan) and Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac (St Emilion Grand Cru). The fruit was picked at optimal ripeness and fermented in small oak vats separately and aged in new barrels for 12-18 months before assemblage into this Essence. So far, Dourthe has only released 2 vintages -2005 and 2008, and the latter included the St Emilion property which was not part of the 2005 selection.

I met this wine at this year's Wine and Dine Festival. Ruby with a berry fruity nose with slight minty notes, the palate was slightly sweet but full of berry fruit. Tannins kicked in mid palate accompanied by acid, which harmonized to provide a solid backbone for the wine.

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