Clos Délice Cuvée de la Mairie Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 2019

Sporting a deep ruby robe and scented with the fragrant scents of fresh blueberries and wild red berries, which have been infused with the subtle hints of vanilla and forest woodlands, the 2019 Clos Délice Cuvée de la Mairie Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux embodies all the elegance and charm for which the Bordeaux wines of Castillon are renowned. Elegant and smooth in the mouth, yet substantial in flavor, Clos Délice’s 2019 Cuvée de la Mairie truly personifies Merlot’s tender charms. Neither rough nor weighty in the mouth, this charming, uncomplicated red Bordeaux graces the palate with red berry, plum, and violet flavors before leaving a pleasant, clean aftertaste as it glides down the throat. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest affording Clos Délice’s 2019 Cuvée de la Mairie Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 15-20 minutes of aeration before serving it at cool room temperature (58°-62° F). Anticipated maturity: 2023-2026. Enjoy!

The words “simple elegance” sum up our choice of foods to accompany Clos Délice’s food friendly 2019 Cuvée de la Mairie Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux. A rotisserie chicken or an herb-grilled breast of chicken provides an ideal background with which to highlight the 2019 Clos Délice Cuvée de la Mairie. For the slightly more adventuresome, a very traditional French dish, Chicken Barigoule – a rotisserie fried chicken breast with braised artichokes, garlic, pearl onions, carrots, asparagus, and tomatoes – provides a simple but very elegant meal that truly showcases the flavor and finesse of this wine. Other white meats, including pork tenderloin, present wonderful gastronomic opportunities, too, when placed in the company of this superbly crafted red Bordeaux. Mushroom risottos as well as soft and hard cheeses make equally fine companions. Moreover, each time we have tasted this wine, we enjoy it as much with food as without, so as you like it. Bon Appétit!

Clos Délice hails from the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux, one of the oldest and most historic wine regions of Bordeaux. Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux is situated on the right bank of the Dordogne River, abutting the prestigious Grand Cru vineyards of St. Émilion. Clos Délice’s Cuvée de la Mairie (this month’s feature) draws its name from its location facing the tiny village Town Hall (la Mairie). Similar to St. Émilion and other right bank neighbors, Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux is Merlot country with Cabernet Franc playing a strong supporting role in the region’s red wines.

Nicolas Idiart, the accomplished Bordeaux winemaker and eminent ambassador of French wines, carefully crafts Clos Délice’s Cuvée de la Mairie Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux from an organically farmed single vineyard. Cuvee de la Mairie is comprised of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Great care is taken in the cellar where fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, minimal use of sulfur, and light extractions to assure balance and tame the wine’s tannins. Cuvée de la Mairie derives much of its fruit-forward flavors and complexity from an artful choice to age only half of the blend in vats and the other half in oak for 18 months. Vive la différence!