Chateau Capet-Guillier Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2018

Chateau Capet-Guillier Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Region: Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Vintage: 2018

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: 85% Merlot 15% Cabernet Franc

ABV: 15%

This wine is a dark and intense ruby in colour. The nose opens with fresh raspberry and ripe strawberry interwoven with violet and well integrated oak. On the palate, this wine is exceptionally elegant with finely knit but firm tannins and a refreshing acidity which carries the complex aromas onto the lingering finish.

The Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes are grown near the village of Saint-Hippolyte on the southern slopes of the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau. The estate vineyards, which have vines on average 45 years old, are planted on chalk and clay, layered over limestone bedrock. This results in naturally low vine vigour, which concentrates the grape’s flavours. According to Stéphane Derenoncourt, the limestone component adds a spicy, floral character to the wines, while the south-facing aspect of the slopes aids ripening in difficult years. Harvest is carried out entirely by hand.

Château Capet-Guillier is a small estate located to the south of Saint-Émilion, between Château Pavie and Château Magrez-Fombrauge. Previously owned by the same family since the French Revolution, it was acquired in 2009 by Antoine Moueix Propriétés, a négociant with over a century’s experience working in Bordeaux’s Right Bank. The wine is made by Stéphane Derenoncourt and Christophe Grenier, who produce this excellent Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from the estate’s four hectares of vines planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.