Château Moulin Saint-Georges 2022

Château Moulin Saint-Georges lies just south of the town of Saint-Émilion, farmed by the Vauthier family who also own Château Ausone. It is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru built on Merlot with Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sits on the clay-limestone slopes that define the best of the appellation; the limestone bedrock keeps the roots cool and supplies steady water, which suits Merlot and keeps the wine fresh despite its power, while the clay adds body and depth. Warm south-facing exposure ripens the fruit fully. The wine is aged 18 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen ingress builds structure, softens the tannins and layers in dark chocolate, clove and toast around the fruit. It shows a deep, concentrated colour and a nose of black cherry and plum with violet and noble oak. The palate is rich, fleshy and well-structured, with ripe tannins and a savoury, mineral length off the limestone. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits red meat, mushroom dishes and mature cheese.