Chateau Nardian Saint Emilion 2009

The wine opens with classic Bordeaux aromas: red currant and raspberry fruit accented by notes of tobacco, cedar, and chocolate. In the mouth it's open and elegant with plenty of soft, ripe, fruit and hints of licorice, chocolate, vanilla, and cedar. There's fine length here both on the palate and the easy, softly tannin, finish. A delicious young Bordeaux to drink now and over the next 4-5 years.

This is an excellent example of the value to be had in 2009 Bordeaux if you look hard enough! The 2009 Nardian is 100% Merlot from the famous Right Bank village of Saint-Emilion. The limestone soils of Nardian's vineyard are perfect for Merlot, and in 2009 the estate delivered perfect ripeness at an easy-drinking 13% alcohol level. Grapes were hand harvested, fermented in tank, and then aged in new (20%) and used French oak barrels—rare for a wine at this price level.