2012 Louis

Chateau Louis's 2012 may turn out to be the finest wine they have produced to date. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc cropped at a low 19 hectoliters per hectare, the Merlot was picked on October 13 and the Cabernet Franc on October 16. A wine of considerable intensity, its inky/purple color is accompanied by notes of lead pencil shavings, blackberries, cassis, vanillin and charcoal. This is a powerful, thick, rich, atypically unctuous 2012 displaying serious tannins in the finish. It hit 14% natural alcohol, and should drink well for 15-20 years. Stephane Derenoncourt is the consultant for this property (previously known as Rol de Fombrauge) that is owned by the Thierry de la Brosse family, who also owns my favorite bistro, L'Ami Louis in Paris.

Their top cuvée, the 2012 Chateau Louis (90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc), has a dense ruby/purple color, sweet black cherry and cassis notes, underlying minerality, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, ripe tannin, excellent depth and richness and a long finish. Produced from a late harvest October 16-19, and tiny yields of 19 hectoliters per hectare, this is a sleeper of the vintage and a noteworthy effort.| eRobertParker.com.April, 2015