Château Feytit Lagrave 2017

This small 7-hectare estate, dating back to 1825, lies close to Châteaux Clinet and Clos de 'Eglise. It is today part of the portfolio of properties owned by the much-respected Famille Peré Vergé, whose other estates include Château Le Gay and La Violette. Its vineyards comprise nearly all Merlot, as you'd expect, with a little Cabernet Franc, all planted on the excellent clay, gravel and sand soils. Dense planting of vines, green harvesting (removing of unripe bunches in July to reduce yields), handpicking and sorting again at the cellar, all play their part in the very fine quality of this claret. Ageing in new oak for up to 15 months is a clear indication of the quality of the wine. Now five years old, this 2017 is drinking very well.