Country: France  Region: Bordeaux  Vintage: 2015 Category: Red Wine  Color:  Red Producer: Château Mouras "The Château Mouras Graves rouge comes from a six hectare property that lies in the communes of Portets, Illats and Landiras. The blend is 50% Merlot, with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon added to provide structure and body, and 15% Petit Verdot for tannins, colour and freshness. The wine gets similar treatment to Château Mahon-Laville. Late picking of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is even more important here, giving a wine with lovely berry fruit on the nose and a supple texture on the palate. Aged for 12 months in used oak, the pristine fruit shines through in the finished wine. The Mouras Graves Supérieurs is a sweet wine made from botrytised Semillon coming from the same property and is for early drinking. It is bottled earlier than the Château Laville Sauternes and without any oak influence. It is a superb alternative to Sauternes from an excellent Sauternes producer." Winemaker: Jean-Christophe Barbe Vineyards: Jean-Christophe has just six hectares of red grape varieties in the little communes of Portets, Illats et Landiras. The average age of the vines is 21 years old. Leaf thinning took place in July to ensure the fruit was fully exposed to the sunlight so that full ripening could take place. Jean-Christophe also carried out a green harvest before veraison to reduce yields and improve concentration. Vinification: The grapes were hand-picked then spent nearly four weeks on their skins at 28°C - 30°C. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation at 22°C. It was then aged for 12 months in oak barrels. Tasting Notes: This wine has a lovely berry fruit on the nose and a supple texture on the palate with the attractive mineral character that defines the appellation of Graves. Dark fruit and spice dominate the mid-palate providing excellent depth that is supported by firm but ripe tannins. Food Suggestion: The wine is best complimented by simple red meat dishes, but will lend itself to richer casseroles, darker meats or 100% beef burgers. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:13.5%