Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

91 pts James Suckling:

A pretty St.-Emilion here showing fresh plums, cherries, baking spices and a touch of minerals. Juicy and crunchy on the palate with medium body and chalky, fine-grained tannins. Drink now or hold.

Winemaker Notes
Château du Basque was cited as a Cru Bourgeois in 1949 before receiving their coveted Grand Cru status. Saint Émilion is a very special sub-region found in France's Bordeaux region, situated on the highly esteemed Right Bank of the Gironde River. In Saint Émilion, the mineral rich gravel and clay-based soils provide plenty of nutrition and character to the grape varieties grown, and the continental climate helps them ripen each year to their fullest. The majority of the chateaux in Saint Émilion produce blended red wines, using a carefully balanced blend of mostly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Château du Basque uses temperature controlled fermentation and a long maceration to fully express the characteristics of its grapes and terroir. For aging, the estate practices traditional regular racking and fining with egg whites.

We suggest serving this classic Saint Émilion with rack of lamb followed by Comté Gruyère and Dijon mustard, or with steaks, pork roasts, peppered tuna, Petit Basque sheep's milk cheese and cured meats.