Côtes de Bourg Nectar Vieilles Vignes 2008
Your Côtes de Bourg, aptly named Nectar, is made from old vines that are at least 40 years old. It is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes which have been harvested by hand and aged in new oak barrels and foudre for around 18 months. Since vintage 1995, Nectar has been Philippe and Valérie’s top-of-the-range offering and has beguiled drinkers with its richness and roundness together with its silky smooth tannins.
Vintage 2008 was challenging for vignerons in Bordeaux throughout the growing season. However, an Indian summer during September and October resulted in many fruity and elegant wines being made. At Château de la Grave the grapes were harvested into late October, thus giving optimum ripeness and elegant tannins.
Following a cool and gentle maceration over 20 days, the fermentation took place in a mix of concrete and stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, half of which were new.
Your Nectar Vieilles Vignes 2008 has a slightly floral nose with sweet ripe fruit on the palate with classic plum and blackcurrant flavours intermixed with cedar and spice. It has soft, supple tannins and a rich, powerful finish. It is a concentrated wine that can be enjoyed young, but will reward cellaring for between five to ten years. As it ages, one can expect complexity to develop on both the nose and palate with classic spice, tobacco and leather becoming apparent.
Although lovely on its own it will pair well with many foods including meatballs with pasta, grilled lamb chops with thyme and rosemary or beef wellington. Drink to 2016-2018.
Available in 2012, the much-heralded Bordeaux 2009 vintage.