# Château D'Anielle (2018)

- **Producer:** Château D'Anielle
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry, violet, black pepper, vanilla, cedar, toast, cloves, forest floor, tobacco, leather

## About this wine

Château D'Anielle is a boutique estate located in the prestigious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The estate benefits from the region's classic clay-limestone soils, which are ideal for cultivating Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This terroir imparts a signature elegance and structure to the wines. The 2018 vintage was characterized by a warm, sunny summer, yielding grapes with exceptional ripeness, concentrated fruit profiles, and refined tannins, making it a highly regarded year for Right Bank Bordeaux.

## Interesting facts

- Saint-Émilion is one of the oldest active wine-producing regions in Bordeaux, with vines dating back to Roman times.
- The 2018 vintage in Bordeaux is celebrated for its exceptional concentration, driven by a hot, dry summer.
- The clay-limestone soils of Saint-Émilion act like a sponge, regulating water supply to the vines during dry vintages like 2018.

## Food pairing

The robust structure, moderate acidity, and velvety tannins of this Saint-Émilion Grand Cru make it an exceptional partner for rich, protein-heavy dishes. The proteins in beef and lamb bind with the wine's tannins, softening them on the palate and highlighting the fruit flavors. Earthy dishes like mushroom risotto complement the subtle forest floor and oak notes of the aged Merlot blend.

## Wine making process

The winemaking at Château D'Anielle combines traditional Bordeaux methods with modern temperature-controlled fermentation. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and meticulously sorted. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and concrete vats to preserve fresh fruit character. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels (typically a mix of new and seasoned oak) for 12 to 18 months, allowing the tannins to soften and integrating subtle oak complexity before bottling.