Chateau Lagrange Monbadon 2005

Tasting note
Fruit driven wine.

Chateau Lagrange Monbadon 2005 Cotes de Castillon AOC The Cotes de Castillon is an up-and-coming region on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, neighbour to the more famous Saint-Emilion. The renowned fine wine expert Robert Parker describes it as ?a fertile hunting ground for a bevy of overachievers?. Chateau Lagrange Monbadon is a fine example; amongst the many measures to ensure the highest quality, the grapes are sorted not once, but twice ? ensuring only the very best are included. Smooth and elegant with damson and raspberry flavours, this fine claret is great with red meats ? try it with peppered steaks, garlicky lamb, roast venison, duck with a plum sauce, herby sausages, or a selection of fine cheeses. Drink by end 2011.

Ch?teau Lagrange Monbadon 2005C?tes de Castillon AOC The C?tes de Castillon is an area in Bordeaux bordering Saint-Emilion, that is producing some excellent fruit-driven wines. Ch?teau Lagrange Monbadon was also made during the fantastic 2005 Bordeaux vintage, hailed by Jancis Robinson MW as a Otruly extraordinaryO harvest. It was made at a small family-owned estate which is the property of Countess Bertrand de Sercey who owns several Saint-Emilion Grands Crus. Winemaker Pascal Hebrard, who has been at the ch?teau for 15 years, under the supervision of consultant Michel Rolland, worked his magic on this intense, fruit-packed claret, a third of which was aged in new oak barrels. Rich damson and plum aromas are joined by juicy black berry fruits, mellow vanilla and spice flavours and a long, satisfying finish. A great partner to roast lamb or poultry, char-grilled vegetables with couscous or mature cheeses. Drink by end 2011.

Ch?teau Lagrange Monbadon 2005C?tes de Castillon AOCRegionThe C?tes de Castillon (awarded appellation status in 1955), lies bang next door to Saint-Emilion. It is considered the rising star of the Right Bank with investment from famed producers of the area such as Stephan Von Neipperg, owner of two top properties in Saint-Emilion and G?rard Perse from Ch?teau Pavie. Decanter describes the area as Othe most exciting in Bordeaux todayO. The principal soil types are limestone mixed with clay, marl and sandstone on the hillsides and more gravelly, sandy soil on the lower slopes.EstateCh?teau Lagrange Monbadon was made at a small family-owned estate which is the property of Countess Bertrand de Sercey who owns several Saint-Emilion Grands Crus. The vineyard of 30 hectares benefits from a clay an

	Type:Still Red Wine		Country:France		Appellation:Cotes de Castillon AOC
	Grape Type:Merlot-based blend		Drink Before:End of 2011		Body:Medium Bodied
	Alcohol:13.5%		Bottle Size:75cl		Bottle Code:39822

Description
This intense, fruit-packed claret was made during the fantastic 2005 Bordeaux vintage, hailed by Jancis Robinson as a "truly extraordinary" harvest. Clarets from this year are increasingly hard to find, so our buyer was delighted to be able to secure a small parcel of this delicious Merlot-rich red, made by a small family estate.

Winemaker Pascal Hebrard has been working at the chateau for the last 15 years, consulting with Bordeaux legend Michel Rolland, and treats his hand-harvested grapes with lavish care and attention, striving to achieve the very best quality. The result is a wine that tastes like it could come from one of the top chateaux ... yet is deliciously affordable!

"Rich damson and plum aromas are joined by juicy black berry fruits, mellow vanilla and spice flavours on the palate. The finish is long and satisfying. A great partner to roast lamb or griddled meats."