Château Charmail 2017

The Haut-Médoc's Château Charmail dates back to the 1500s with vines first planted there a century later. The 27-hectare vineyard of this Left Bank estate is planted on gravelly clay soils. Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends are the norm this side of the river, but due to the high proportion of clay, Merlot is the key grape for Château Charmail. It adds a rich, smooth plum character to the wine, complemented by cassis-rich Cabernet Sauvignon, herbaceous Cabernet Franc and spicy dark Petit Verdot. Aged for a year in French oak barrels, including a portion of new oak, the wine is now rich with mellow black plum and berry aromas, and mature layers of cedar and cigar spice. Decant and enjoy alongside beef wellington or mushroom bourguignon.