Château Gros Caillou 2019, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

Château Gros Caillou is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from the Dupuy family estate at Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, a short distance from the town of Saint-Émilion. The vineyard grows on deep, gravelly and sandy, siliceous soils, and the grand vin is drawn from the best vines on the property, in both age and terroir, with an average age of around 35 years. As is typical on the Right Bank, Merlot leads the blend, supported by Cabernet Franc and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermentation is temperature-controlled, and the wine is then aged in French oak barrels.

The nose is ripe and generous, with black cherry, blueberry, raspberry and stewed red fruit, turning more floral as it opens, with hints of leather, tobacco and spice. The palate is sweet and ripe on entry, balanced by a fresh thread of acidity, with smooth tannins and a plush, rounded finish.

Serve at around 16–18°C; an hour in a decanter helps it open up. It is lovely with grilled lamb chops with rosemary and roast potatoes, roast beef, duck, mushroom dishes and mature hard cheeses. It is drinking well now and will keep for several more years.

Château Gros Caillou is a family estate in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, a short distance from the UNESCO-listed town of Saint-Émilion. The château was created in 1880 and has been in the hands of the Dupuy family for more than four generations. For two generations the vineyard covered 11 hectares; after Jacques Dupuy took over the running of the estate in 1981 he added further plots from 1984, bringing it to around 20 hectares. Jacques now runs the property with his son Eric, and together they have invested in significant improvements in the winery. The vines grow on sandy and gravelly soils and are planted mainly with Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, producing generous, approachable Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.