2010 Domaine du Castel Grand Vin

The 2010 Grand Vin is revisited this issue – I did want to see it again. It is a big wine (15%+ alcohol), an unusual vintage for Castel, comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (24%), Petit Verdot (19%), and 3% Cabernet Franc. (These figures were corrected by the winery from what I was given last year.) Contrary to the impression left with the understated 2011 Petit Castel also reviewed this issue, the Grand Vin here is rather obvious and often one-dimensional. Sweet vanilla and ripe fruit are up front. There is certainly more intensity and power than on the Petit Castel, of course, which stands this wine in good stead. As it airs out, there is a slight harsh note to the finish. The wine has not gone over the top as I feared it would, but it is not displaying any of the finesse for which this winery is noted, nor anything special. It’s not bad, by any means, but it is not going down in the annals as one of the great Castel vintages, either. Drink now-2021. Owner Eli-Gilbert Ben-Zaken gave this description of the new releases and upcoming forecasts: "Here 2011 will be remembered for the very long period of maturation due to a late spring (the almond trees were still flowering in April) and a very unusually mild summer?. I personally think that it is going to be a very interesting and particular vintage. We never had it so long, starting late with the Chardonnay on August 21, two weeks later than our average and we finished on October 25, one month later than usual with the Petit Verdot and the last plot of Cabernet! Although not at all typical and usual, it was on the whole a good vintage, and we managed to make wines within what is expected of Castel: elegance and finesse. 2013 was what we pray for?very cold and rainy winter, early harvest – Chardonnay started at the end of July and Petit Verdot end of September. AND NO HEAT WAVES!!!” N.B. The 2011 Grand Vin is being held back awhile by the winery to give it more time to rest. It should be coming soon. Importer: Royal Wine Corp, Bayonne, NJ; tel. (718) 534-0118