Another lovely wine available at the neighbourhood Waitrose. Seriously, for my Canadian readers, just imagine picking up a Grand Cru Bordeaux at Safeway.

Ah, in my dreams.

This classic Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend is clear and bright, deep ruby and has legs. On the nose, it’s developed and clean with medium plus intense aromas of blackberry, blackberry vine, cassis, and tar.

The palate is dry with medium plus acidity and soft tannins with the slightest ever grip. The alcohol is high and takes a bit of time to blow off, but the body is medium and the flavour intensity is medium plus, consisting of more blackberries, blueberries, vine and field berries as well as chocolate, tar, cedar bough, liquorice and leather.

The long finish helps bumpt this to a WSET Very Good plus Grand Cru AC wine.

Iwasn’t sure, so I looked up what the difference is between Saint-Emilion AC and the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC.  First, the yield is restricted to 55 hL per hectare rather than 65. The grapes (except the Merlot) must be harvested at a higher must weight (189 grams of sugar per liter vs 180), the finished wine must reach a minimum alcohol level of 11.5% ABV rather than 11% and lastly, the wine must be stored by the producer for an extra 14 months before being released for sale.

Now if I can only teach my sister how to hold her wine glass.