Today’s wine is all about immediate enjoyment and sensational value. In fact, if there’s another Right Bank Bordeaux red of this quality for R350, we don’t know of it. Du Courlat lies north of Saint-Émilion, close to a small village called Lussac. The 2016 is an absolute cracker! Driven by Merlot with a smattering of Cabernet Franc (10%), it’s medium-bodied, fresh and light-footed, offering upfront redcurrants on the nose with cherry pastilles and kirsch elements on the palate.
From a great vintage, the 2016 Du Courlat will easily mature for another 5 years. If you can resist, that is, because it’s absolutely delicious at the moment! Ideally served slightly chilled during the summer, this versatile red will be great on its own but can also handle any holiday meal with aplomb.
The Audy family, who have been at the helm of the property since the 1930s, were forced to sell in the 1950s. Fortunately, family member Pierre Bourotte drew the estate’s name out of a hat and decided to take responsibility for keeping the property. His grandson, Jean-Baptiste Bourotte, now manages the 17 hectares and Du Courlat has become a leading estate in Lussac.
