JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BARBE `Château Mahon-Laville` Bordeaux Supérieur 2008 Producer Jean-Christophe Barbe studied at the University of Bordeaux and did his thesis on .pourriture noble., or noble rot, the botrytis that make Sauternes so special. Today, he instructs the youth of Bordeaux in winemaking while running the family property, Château Laville, in Sauternes. Château Delmond is the second wine of Château Laville. Jean-Christophe also has some red varieties planted at Laville, which are used to produce the excellent value Château Mahon-Laville. Château Mouras is from his other family vineyard in the Graves. Vineyards Jean-Christophe‘s original 1.3 hectares of red grape varieties are located at Laville on a plot of land called Mahon, hence the name. Soils are predominantly clay and the average age of the vines 15 years old. The wine is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is startlingly good for a Bordeaux Rouge at this price. The work that goes into it - leaf plucking to expose the fruit, crop thinning at veraison to lower yields and aid ripeness, hand picking, three weeks on skins followed by 12 months in vat - merits a higher price. Vinification The grapes were hand-picked then spent three to four weeks on skins fermenting at 28°C- 30°C. Malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures of 22°C followed by ageing for 12 months in wooden barrels. Tasting Notes Deep, red-purple in colour, a rich, plummy nose with a touch of lead pencil and vanilla spice from the oak ageing, which follows through to the palate where the ripe fruit is supported by a supple, tight tannin structure. Attractive black pepper character on the finish. Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £143.69 (Including VAT at 20%)