So I’m still on my Star Trek TNG kick, just got into season 2. Big changes for the crew of the enterprise, most important of which is Commander Riker grew a pretty solid beard. To celebrate his impressive feat, I decided to jump into a nice hearty red wine fitting of his accolades. I picked up a bottle of Chateau Louvie Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012. This is a Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend which is produced in the Right Bank of the Bordeaux region in France. The wine was on sale at $22 which was a great value for a Grand Cru, I ended up picking up a couple of bottles so I could return to it down the line and see how it ages.
Nerd Alert: Aging a wine gives time for the individual components (sugar, acids, phenols) to interact, altering the wine chemistry, taste, smell, and appearance. Red wines typically lose color over the years and have a softer mouthfeel. Acidity is reduced due to esterification of acids, a byproduct of which is altered aroma. Not all wines are meant be aged though; most are intended to be consumed upon purchase. Don’t buy a case of $2 Cabernet with the intention of having a collectors item in 20 years.
I decanted the wine for about an hour before trying; the wine is a deep ruby hue with nice thick legs when swirled. The aroma is very pleasant with raspberry, cranberry, leather, and hints of damp earth. The wine feels thick and substantial, with flavors of plum, pepper, spice, and oak. Medium acidity and nice tannin come in at the end. The rich finish is lingering. Overall this is a well-balanced Bordeaux worth drinking again.
Winemaker: Chateau Louvie
Wine: Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Year: 2012
Region: Bordeaux, France
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Price: $50-$60 ($22 on sale)
Rating: 9/10