Château Bolaire 2015

This is the thirteenth anniversary vintage for this estate which has become something of a star within its modest appellation. It has the same owner as Belle-Vue, the late and much regretted Vincent Mulliez. Its 6.95-hectares are planted in the dry palus soils of Macau and they are 50 years old, on average, in 2015 but most of the Petit Verdot is at least 90 years old! Encépagement includes an unusually high 55% Petit Verdot, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvesting – 45% manual and 55% by machine –took place between September 22nd and October 9th. Yields in 2015 were 37 hls/ha. After a 15-day cold soak 5° C, the juice was fermented in stainless with a 25-day post-fermentation maceration. Délestage was the favored extraction techniques. The wine spent its first three months on its post-malo lees and aged during 12 months in 10% new, 30% one-wine old barrels and 60% two-wine old barrels. Final blend is 60% Petit Verdot, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bottled on June 29th 2017. 13.5%. Christophe Coupez and Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen consult.