Jeb DUNNUCK
par Jeb Dunnuck le 01/05/2019
This tiny estate (there are a scant 1.5 hectares in production) located just next door to Clos Fourtet, on the upper limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, has produced a blockbuster with their 2018 Château Les Grandes Murailles! Based all on Merlot aging in 60% new French oak (the balance is in second-fill barrels and amphora), it reveals an inky purple color as well as a heavenly bouquet of crème de cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, and subtle background oak. Full-bodied, light on its feet, and elegant, with beautiful purity of fruit, it’s a remarkable wine that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and evolve for two decades or more. Note, this estate was acquired by the Cuvelier family (who also own Clos Fourtet) in 2013 and it’s the smallest grand cru classé vineyard in all Saint-Émilion. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Jean-Claude Berrouet consult.