Château Cap Saint-George 2022

Château Cap Saint-George lies in Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion, one of the satellite appellations on the higher ground north of Saint-Émilion itself, and belongs to the Janoueix family, long established across the right bank. The blend is built on Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Merlot thrives here because the cool, water retentive clay and limestone subsoil keeps its roots supplied through the summer and ripens the grape fully without loss of freshness. The wine spends sixteen months in French oak barrels, a long élevage that knits the tannins together and layers in cocoa, cedar and a savoury spice while gently concentrating the fruit through slow evaporation. The result at 14% alcohol is concentrated but balanced. It shows a deep, almost opaque ruby. The nose leads with black fruit, wild flowers and a note of undergrowth that speaks to the limestone terroir. The palate is fresh and succulent, the tannins ripe and the finish long and savoury. Serve at 17 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits red meat, game and mature cheese.