Château Haut Chaigneau Lalande de Pomerol 2013

Lalande de Pomerol is a wee appellation just to the north of the more famous Pomerol. Things are done in a similar way and with similar blends – predominantly Merlot, with a dash of Cabernet Franc and maybe Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec.

So, if you like salvage yards, second hand shops and other such treasure troves, get your hands on this beauty. A red wine that has all the approachability of Pomerol, with hints of fresh coffee, creamy chocolate and a touch of oak spice, with a more approachable price tag, so you can approach without caution…

The Chattonet family have been actively involved in the winemaking community of St Emilion since the 15th century, helping to develop some of the most famous names of the region. In 1967 they purchased Château Haut Chaigneau in Lalande de Pomerol. At this stage the property was in disrepair, however an extensive renovation of both the Château itself, the winery and vineyards had turned this into one of the leading properties of the region by the start of the 21st century.

Their aim is to make consistently high quality wines that reflect the terroir of Lalande de Pomerol, while marrying tradition with the best of modern technology to showcase the fruit and the vintage.

The grapes come from Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines with a minimum age of 40 years, planted in a 20 hectare vineyard on well-drained iron-rich clay. The vineyard is farmed according to Lutte-Raisonnee, reducing the amount of fertilisers and pesticides used amongst the vines. After a traditional fermentation, the wine spent 14 months in oak barrels, a third of which are new and two thirds of which are one year old. It is fined using egg-whites.

The 2011 is full-bodied yet elegant, with rich dark cherry and blackberry fruit and hints of coffee and chocolate plus just a touch of oak spice. The tannins are ripe and approachable, lending the wine the structure to be enjoyed straight away, but with the potential to gain in complexity over the coming years.

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