“I could probably die happy with a cheeseboard and a glass of French red
wine - that's my idea of a perfect dinner.” – Deidre O’Kane
Red wine blends have grown in popularity
throughout the U.S. The same enthusiasm is seen in French wines. One that is
smooth to drink and easily accessible in local wine stores around the country is from the estate of Château-Landat in the
Haut-Médoc region of Bordeaux (http://domaines-fabre.fr/en/nos-Châteaux/Château-landat).
The Haut-Médoc region borders the southernmost
part of the large Médoc region. The terroir in this region has excellent clay soil
conditions for growing a variety of red varietals with access to the Gironde
river.
Château-Landat is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and Petit Verdot. As a matter of
information these are the only grape varietals that the estate of Château-Landat
grows. That focus on varietals goes back to the AOC regulations discussed in
the last blog which promote focus on growing the best that a vineyard can
support versus dilution with too many grape types.
When sampled after 5 years of bottling, Château-Landat comes across as a medium bodied red wine. It is best aerated for at
least an hour in a slightly cool room without direct sunlight before drinking.
The 2011 vintage that we sampled was well balanced with minimal tannins and
lots of black fruits such as currant and blackberries.
PositiveVines‘
HelpfulTip: Aeration is commonly referred to as letting a wine breath. The idea
is that a wine will soften and the flavors become more pronounced once the wine
hits the air. The best way to aerate a wine is to pour it in a decanter or
carafe.
This Château-Landat is a 91 point wine that may
be best held in a cellar for aging up to 10 years in order to have a fuller
bodied experience. However, don’t feel that you have to wait 10 years to enjoy
this wonderfully priced wine. At $17 a bottle, you can find 2-5 year aged
bottles in your local wine store to enjoy now. My recommendation is that this
medium bodied wine would go well with creamy sauced chicken dishes, Indian food
and heavier fishes such as salmon.
Remember to drink what it is that
makes you truly happy and always think positively!
Drink Responsibly!
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