Vieux Château Saint André - Magnum 2020
The Vieux Château Saint-André Magnum 2020, owned by the Berrouet family in Montagne-Saint-Émilion, exemplifies the rigor and sensitivity of great Bordeaux expertise. Led by Jean-Claude Berrouet – former winemaker at Pétrus – and his son Jeff, the estate applies the same principles: sustainable viticulture, manual harvesting, and vinification that respects the fruit and the terroir. The vines grow on clay-limestone soils, giving the Merlot a fine and balanced expression.
The sunny and consistent 2020 vintage is distinguished by perfect ripeness and preserved freshness. The blend, dominated by Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc, benefited from partial maturation in French oak barrels, including a moderate proportion of new wood. The magnum, an ideal format for a slow and harmonious evolution, enhances the wine's depth and complexity.
The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe black fruits, candied cherry, and violet, enhanced by nuances of blond tobacco, graphite, and cocoa. On the palate, the attack is velvety and full-bodied, supported by fine, perfectly integrated tannins. The mid-palate combines richness and tension, offering a beautiful persistence. The finish, long and elegant, stretches with notes of spicy red fruits and noble wood.
A highly precise Montagne-Saint-Émilion, both generous and distinguished, which will mature magnificently over a decade. Serve between 16 and 17°C after aerating for about an hour.
Grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
