# Réserve Merlot (2001)

- **Producer:** Château de Castelneau
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €19
- **Vegan:** No
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Passed
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, blackcurrant, vanilla, cloves, forest floor, leather, cinnamon, mushroom

## About this wine

Château de Castelneau is located in Saint-Léon within the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux. Managed by the family of Vicomte Loïc and Diane de Roquefeuil for nine consecutive generations, the estate boasts a rich history dating back to the 11th century. In recent years, the family made the poignant decision to uproot their 30 hectares of vineyards to pivot exclusively into wine tourism, making existing library vintages like this 2001 Merlot highly scarce historic relics.

## Interesting facts

- The estate's viticultural history dates back to the 11th century, recorded in the grand cartulary of the Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure.
- Vicomte Loïc de Roquefeuil co-founded 'L'Entre Deux Verres' in 1978, one of Paris's very first modern wine bars.
- The family recently uprooted all vineyards to pivot to tourism, making this bottle an irreplaceable historic relic.

## Food pairing

This fully mature, aged Merlot features resolved, silky tannins and vibrant acidity. It pairs beautifully with rich, savory meats like duck and slow-cooked beef, where the wine's tertiary earthy notes complement the savory depth of the dishes without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

This monovarietal Merlot is sourced from the estate's clay-limestone (argilo-calcaire) soils in Saint-Léon, which feature silty-clay and silica. The grapes, potentially from old vines up to 90 years of age, were harvested and fermented traditionally. To develop its "Réserve" structure, the wine was aged in French oak barrels (fûts de chêne) for approximately 10 to 12 months before bottling. Traditional fining with egg whites was likely used.