# Esprit (2022)

- **Producer:** Château Monplaisir
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** South West France, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry, black pepper, vanilla, smoke, charred wood, toast

## About this wine

Château Monplaisir is located in the historic Bergerac wine region of South West France, a neighbor to Bordeaux that shares a similar climate and grape varieties but offers its own distinct character. The 'Esprit' cuvée represents a modern expression of the estate's terroir, crafted to showcase the depth and structure possible in Bergerac. The estate focuses on sustainable viticulture, utilizing the region's clay-limestone soils to produce wines with excellent balance and aging potential.

## Interesting facts

- Aged for a full 12 months in French oak barrels, with one-third being brand new wood.
- Bergerac shares the same grape varieties as its famous neighbor Bordeaux but often offers exceptional value.
- The term 'Élevé en fût de chêne' on the label highlights the traditional oak-aging process used to structure this cuvée.

## Food pairing

The robust structure, firm tannins, and oak-derived smoky notes of this Bergerac red require rich, savory dishes. High-protein meats like beef and lamb help soften the wine's tannins, while earthy components like mushrooms complement its rustic South West France character.

## Wine making process

This wine undergoes traditional vinification with temperature-controlled fermentation to extract rich color and supple tannins. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (fût de chêne), with approximately 33% new wood. This extensive barrel aging integrates the tannins, rounds out the palate, and imparts subtle smoky, toasted, and vanilla notes to the final blend.