From: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Varietal: Merlot
Tasting Notes: What strikes the drinker about this wine is its sense of grace: this is not Merlot forced into some caricature of voluptuousness or gym-pumped into an awkward imitation of Cabernet; rather, it revels comfortably in its lip-smacking red-fruited prettiness. It’s the kind of wine that can only be produced here, and only by growers who are able to fully trust noble Merlot to be its truest self. In the glass, you’ll find aromas of raspberry liqueur, black cherry, and boysenberry wound around a combination of cigar wrapper, iron, bay leaf, and spice. The palate echoes the elegance of the nose, with smooth, slightly stemmy tannins and a dry, leathery finish.
Pairing: Wine from Saint-Emilion is a dream to pair due to its versatility. Duck or game terrine with some quince jelly on the side would be lovely due to its rich fatty content that balances with the freshness of the wines. Believe it or not, either classic or mushroom lasagna would be a great pairing too. We also love recommending this wine alongside a shoulder of lamb roasted with rosemary or thyme with seasonal greens, and we'd adore this particular wine with Julie Powell’s recipe for Coffee-Roasted Fillet of Beef.
About, courtesy of Rosenthal Wine Merchant. The Château Haut-Ségottes is owned and operated by Danielle Meunier. Mme. Meunier, “vigneronne extraordinaire”, is the fourth generation of her family to oversee this nine hectare estate situated in the heart of the Saint Emilion appellation. Mme. Meunier’s great-grandfather purchased the estate around 1860 and had earned gold medals for his wine as early as 1912 at the Concours Agricole in Paris. In 1959, the estate began to bottle its wine in earnest. In 1972 Madame Meunier took the reins of production and we [Rosenthal Wine Merchants] can proudly stake our claim as one of her first and most loyal clients: we have been purchasing her wines since the 1977 vintage.
The 9 hectares Château Haut-Segottes are all planted within the St. Emilion Grand Cru appellation. The vineyards are planted 60% to Merlot, 35% to Cabernet Franc, and 5% to Cabernet Sauvignon. The position of the vineyards within the appellation is outstanding. Parcels are found within the “lieu-dits” of Fortin (across from La Dominique and 300 meters from Cheval Blanc); Chauvin; and the highly regarded “Plateau de Corbin”. Production levels average 45 hectoliters per hectare. Haut-Segottes bottles between 30,000 to 40,000 bottles per year.
We have never encountered a more meticulous wine producer. Madame Meunier’s cave is impeccably organized and clean as the proverbial “whistle”. The vineyards are tended with the utmost of care by Madame Meunier and her long-serving trio of master “gardeners”. Her obsession with, and dedication to her vineyards, enables Madame Meunier’s Haut Ségottes to produce exceptional quality year-in and year-out despite the vagaries of the weather. The wines of this estate capture the essence of the artisanal craftsperson.
The estate is practicing organic; they only treat their vineyards with Copper Sulfate and essential oils. Bi-annual plowing takes place to ensure the health of the soils, which are sandy clay with bands of iron in the sub-soils. All grapes are harvested by hand, parcel-by-parcel. After sorting and destemming, the crop ferments with native yeasts (pied de cuve) in concrete tanks. Cuvaison lasts about 3 weeks with daily pumpovers during fermentation.
The estate’s second wine provides a supple, beguiling counterpoint to the flagship cuvée’s muscular classicism. Comprised entirely of Merlot—partly from a one-hectare plot in the dark-sand soils of Corbin, and partly from a hectare in Fortin—Clos Petit-Corbin displays the sheer elegance the variety can achieve in this appellation. Florent and Danielle employ no new wood here, and a small portion of the wine remains in tank during the élévage, thereby further emphasizing its purity and drinkability. What strikes the drinker about this wine is its sense of grace: this is not Merlot forced into some caricature of voluptuousness or gym-pumped into an awkward imitation of Cabernet; rather, it revels comfortably in its lip-smacking red-fruited prettiness. It’s the kind of wine that can only be produced here, and only by growers who are able to fully trust noble Merlot to be its truest self.