France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Petit Verdot

Château Caronne Ste Gemme

Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme Haut-Medoc

Bordeaux

Haut-Médoc

As Ch Maldeleine in St Emilion ended up in Belair Monange, and Pontac Lynch ended up in Issan, it seems Caronne Ste Gemme might be the next well-loved name to disappear, as this estate has recently been sold by the Nony family to Bernard Magrez, and it likely to be included in his Médoc 1855 Château La Tour Carnet as of next year. That makes it a wine to buy in 2021, as a mark of respect for what has been one of the true quality value wines in the Haut-Médoc appellation around 35% of its production going into the UK market), on excellent gravel soils close to the St Julien borders. You’ll find some of the dark fruits that are generally a little hard to find in this vintage, not exuberant but measured, with bilberry, cassis bud, touches of earthy smoky oak, all carefully extracted and balanced and with an effortless juice. A little old school and rustic, but clear skill in winemaking on dislay, and mouthwateringly sappy tannins on the finish. Lovely stuff from François Nony. It will be a fine, if sad, addition to La Tour Carnet.

Inside Bordeaux

Old school, great balance, concentrated, savoury and slighlty chewy tannins, chalky almost, this is classic claret territory, enjoyable austerity, dark fruits and mint. A value pick to look out for. Now owned by Bernard Magrez, bought in 2022.

Increasingly rare to find classic, balanced, old school Cru Bourgeois that has been in the same family for over 100 years, making this brilliant wine even more worth savouring. Just so enjoyable, full of dark brambled fruits, tobacco leaf, pencil lead and eucalyptus, with a ton of Haut-Médoc personality, one to recommend. 33% new oak. Owned by the Nony family since 1900.

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Château Caronne Ste Gemme
Vintages	1970
Country	France, Bordeaux, Haut-Médoc
Bottle	75 cl

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