Magnificent Bordeaux

Dear Readers,

This is a wine that has become a staple to our Bordeaux program. Given the story of the estate, no wonder. This is collectible wine folks. A claret that we will continue to offer through the email program in the very best vintages.

2012 Chateau Haut-Ségottes Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

I’m pleased to announce that 2012 vintage of Ancona’s favorite Saint-Émilion has arrived state-side.

Danielle Meunier is a living legend.

Even at nearly 80 years old she can still be seen trudging around her prized collection of vineyards, proudly showing off some of the most privileged parcels in Saint-Émilion.

In Bordeaux, Madame Meunier is an endangered spices: one of just a final few vignerons having learned the intricacies of farming and making wine from her parents rather than the local oenological institute. It seems to be this rare breed of winemakers that is capable of the most unusual feat: both putting their own vivid thumbprint onto the wine that they produce, and allowing the wine to speak so transparently of the vineyards. Grand vineyards. Deservingly Grand Cru.

To geek, Saint-Émilion is comprised to two land forms: The steep Coteaux, the limestone escarpment where many generations of farmers and winemakers have built lengthy, picturesque, stone staircases to traverse the slope. Just above the Coteaux lies the Graves: a pure gravel plateau allowing for supreme ripening of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is on this rocky stretch where Madame Meunier's three prime vineyard sites are situated.

Block 1 sits just beside the great La Dominique Grand Cru Classe

Block 2 sits beside the iconic Chateau Figeac

Block 3 sits beside Cheval Blanc. Seriously. Château Cheval Blanc

It would be hard to argue that this wine is on the level of the Great Cheval Blanc (the 2012 vintage sells for $500 and upward) but there are certainly bits and flecks of Cheval inspiration woven into its very fabric. Not just that, but for the money there is nothing like it. This is just magnificent, classical Saint-Émilion.

The end product typically falls somewhere in the vicinity of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot. In the grand scheme of Bordeaux production, this is remarkably small: around 2900 cases a year.

This is likely the sharpest price in the country.

Please place your order through out Website. 

Enjoy your weekend.

Codey Foster CS, Wine Director

My Notes Read: The 2012 Haut-Segottes is a sheer class act. A stunner right out of the gate. Punching well above it’s weight class, of course. The 12 is singing. Even more so than the 2010 vintage, which quite frankly, I thought would be hard to top. This is a luxurious wine of rich complexity, terroir, and pure Bordelais swag. On the nose: textbook Saint-Émilion. Black tea, crushed leaves, spices, smoke, gravel, crushed leaves, herbs, and  On the pallet, layers of cherries laced with sous bois.

Danielle Meunier uses remarkably small percentages of new oak barrels which just adds transparency. This is a ridiculously good drink right now but has at least a good 10-12 years ahead of it. Just textbook.