Château Les Grands Maréchaux 2014

Blaye, on the Right Bank of the Gironde, offers outstanding claret at affordable prices thanks to a growing number of producers determined to match the standards of Saint-Emilion and the Médoc. Les Grands Maréchaux has been on top form since the owners took control nine years ago. Winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt, who has worked at many top Saint-Emilion estates including La Mondotte, Canon La Gaffelière and Pavie Macquin, matured most of the wine in new oak, as there is more than enough richness in the fruit to cope with this. A fine petit château claret from a slow-to-mature vintage, Les Grands Maréchaux 2014 makes fine mellow drinking. Stand upright a few hours in case of sediment. Then open early and decant. Ideal with a Sunday roast.