A Bordeaux & Sauternes Gems Tasting

The face of Bordeaux is changing. For a region so steeped in wine history, the pace is perhaps slower than other regions, however the Bordeaux our parents knew is quietly beginning to share the spotlight with a group of energised and talented new blood, including Damien Bielle of Domaine Marius Bielle.

Domaine Marius Bielle was founded in the 1940s by Damien's grandfather, the domaine's namesake, in Lalande-de-Pomerol. In this area, a grape maligned in other wine growing regions is seen as the king. Here, Merlot rules them all. There are no blends, the wines are 100% Merlot, a 'one terroir, one cepage' approach championed by Burgundy. It is this approach, along with a 'slow and steady' ethos, that allows Damien to focus on making wines that highlight the beautiful nuances of this grape.

The 2015 Filhot has a rather Germanic, oily bouquet that lacks the definition and purity of its peers. It needs more lift from the glass. The palate is balanced with a viscous opening, more complex and focused than the aromatics suggest with a citrus-fresh, honeyed finish that feels pure and persistent. This could be excellent if the bouquet improved with bottle age and my score gives it the benefit of the doubt. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. NEAL MARTIN, Vinous

This is a 100% Sémillon form a 1 hectare vineyard located in Montravel, a sub-region of Bergerac.
The grapes are hand harvested in small lug boxes, bunches are selected one by one. Pressed in an air tight press, the must is then barrel fermented and the wine aged on fine lees with regular batonnage. Aged for eleven months in 1/3 new, 1/3 one year old and 1/3 in two years old oak barrels.

I love this wine - Semillion grown on chalk with a minerally intense core. It is opulent and dense yet has great freshness. A slight touch of stuck match reduction adds complexity to a lifted bright nose of citrus and minerally notes. Great power and mouth coating flavour and yet finishes crisp and clean. ALEX WILCOX

This is 100% merlot from a 1.5 hectare vineyard located in Montravel, a sub-region of Bergerac.
The grapes are hand harvested in small lug boxes, in the cellar the bunches are destemmed and the fruits selected one by one by hand. The must is then macerated in micro oxygenated tanks, pump over every six hours, alcoholic and malolactic fermentations done in temperature controlled tanks. Aged for fourteen months on fine lees in 1/3 new and 2/3 one year old oak barrels.

This is terrific Merlot - there is even greater vibrancy and verve to the 2017 then the 2016. the fruit is pure and ripe with fresh picked plum and red cherry fruit. Some classy oak wraps gently around some pretty and lifted violet notes. and red fruits. This has plenty of fleshy fruit but in a compact and vibrant frame. There aint much merlo like this in Aus. PWS