# ChateauBriand Grand Réserve (2020)

- **Producer:** Carovin AB
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, plum, currant, ripe fruit, vanilla, cedar, coffee, cocoa

## About this wine

The ChateauBriand Grand Réserve 2020 is a red wine from Bordeaux, France, produced by Carovin AB. The 'Grand Réserve' designation suggests a wine of notable quality. Bordeaux is a historic and globally renowned wine region, particularly celebrated for its red blends. The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux experienced warm and dry weather, contributing to ripe fruit characteristics and good concentration in the wines.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Châteaubriand' is famously associated with a classic beef dish, not typically a wine producer.
- This wine is a 'Grand Réserve', indicating a higher quality tier.
- Bordeaux is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world.
- The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by warm, dry conditions.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure, with its ripe tannins and medium+ body, makes it an excellent companion for rich, protein-heavy dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and cleansing the palate. Flavors of dark fruit and subtle oak notes can complement the savory and sometimes earthy characteristics of roasted meats and aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The ChateauBriand Grand Réserve 2020 is crafted as a traditional Bordeaux blend, primarily featuring Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging, with the 'Grand Réserve' designation implying a period in oak barrels. This aging process is crucial for developing complexity, integrating flavors such as vanilla and cocoa, and softening the wine's structure. The 2020 vintage conditions in Bordeaux, characterized by warmth and dryness, contributed to ripe fruit and concentration, which are reflected in the final wine.