2014 Domaine de l'Aurage

Mid cherry red. Here the dark-red fruit has already outshone the oak on the nose – there’s oak spice but not that toasty character of the 2012. Tender and fresh and beautifully integrated. You can taste the oak on the finish but it is more subtle than in some and the alcohol is well hidden. Expressive and scented with nicely dusty/dry tannins on the finish. (JH)

Made by Louis Mitjavile, on clay just below the church of St-Genès. A bit tighter than the St-Émilions. Well polished but not quite as opulent as François’ wines. Just a little skinny on the end. (JR)

The Domaine de l’Aurage 2014, the vineyard owned by François Mitjavile’s son Louis, located in Côte de Castillon but just over the Saint Emilion border, is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It has a crisp and harmonious bouquet, bright strawberry and boysenberry fruit with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a hint of black olive and iodine on the entry, a pleasant marine influence coming through with tensile tannin on the finish. Excellent.