Domaine de lA Stephane Christine Derenoncourt 1999 2.5 10 Sainte-Colombe ValandraudFaugeres Fleur Cardinale

Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

30 –

50%

2011

Domaine de lA is owned by Stephane and Christine Derenoncourt. The estate was founded in 1999. Their first purchase was small. The original vineyard was only 2.5 hectares. In time, two additional purchases helped Stephane and Christine Derenoncourt bring the estate to its current 10 hectare size. Domaine de lA is located in the commune of Sainte-Colombe in the Cotes de Castillon appellation, just due east of St. Emilion. In fact, the estate of Domaine de lA is close to some very good St. Emilion estates. For example Valandraud, Faugeres and Fleur Cardinale are just down the road.

Appellation:
Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux

Country of Origin:
Bordeaux, France

Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)

Grape Varieties:
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

Vinification:
Whole berry fermented in open top, oak tank tanks for a 30-day maceration. The use of open top tanks provides a view of the cap, which they keep submerged and allows for the ability to decide the number and intensity of cap punchings on a vat by vat basis. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes:
The 2011 offers lots of fleshy black cherry and berry fruit intertwined with mocha, earth and spice aromas that jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored wine. Revealing medium body, excellent texture and impressive purity as well as length, this over-achiever proves its merit in 2011. A sleeper of the vintage, it should be drunk over the next 7-8 years.