Ch. Roques Mauriac - Damnation 2018
Price: $21.99
Sale Price: $18.99
3+ Price: $17.99 / btl
6+ Price: $16.99 / btl
| Producer | Ch. Roques Mauriac |
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| Country | France |
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| Region | Bordeaux |
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| Varietal | Cabernet Franc |
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| Vintage | 2018 |
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| Sku | 17725 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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85% Cabernet Franc / 15% Merlot.
I know, right? 85% Cabernet Franc from Bordeaux? I saw that mix and knew I HAD to try it.
So I had a sample sent from Bordeaux… and promptly ordered 30 cases. It’s stunning!
Forget everything you know or think you know about Cabernet Franc. While the Loire Valley may be most associated with the grape, its ancestral home is Bordeaux. It’s actually the parent grape of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It has been relegated to blending status at most Chateau. But there are a handful of properties that continue to trumpet the grape’s glory. Chief among them is the famed Cheval Blanc, whose wine offers a similar proportion of Cab Franc. Now… the 2018 Cheval Blanc is selling for upwards of $1,000, so the chances of you trying it are pretty slim.
And while this isn’t at THAT level, it is still a darn tasty bottle at a great price.
Me? I’m a Cabernet Franc convert. From Bordeaux, it has a character and profile unlike what you might come across in Loire. A beautifully expressive nose of violets (a la Merlot) leads into a rich mouthful of ripe red fruits. There’s a classic Cabernet Sauvignon character of mocha and spices on the finish. The tannins are there, but silky and smooth. The winery recommends pairing with “a delicious braised veal sweetbread or roasted duck breasts stuffed with fresh foie gras.”
Wonder if I am too old for them to adopt me?
Decanter: 92 Points
“Smells wonderfully evocative, richly scented and darkly fruited. Full and round from the start, this has presence in the mouth, very concentrated with lashings of sweet. sticky liquorice that really matches the ripe, dark blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. You can really tell this has a dominance of Cabernet Franc at 85% with 15% Merlot. An extremely bold and confident style with tons of power, energy and plushness but retains a sense of direction and elegance. The structure is there and you can feel the effects of the oak ageing just adding to the overall frame. You get a sense of the hot vintage in this wine. taking the very best of the year and presenting it all with full force. Excellent to drink now but could easily hold on to for a few more years.” Decanter
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