From: Bordeaux, France
Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Organic farmed
Taste: It should be mentioned that 2016 was an excellent vintage (year) for Bordeaux. Perhaps shockingly so, it didn’t look like it would be a great vintage from its cold, wet spring. From that year, this wine exudes amicable buoyancy, with its red fruit, supple structure, and smooth tannins. You’ll observe the hallmarks of a classic everyday Bordeaux here, along with notes of cocoa and black olive.
Pairing: Pair with charcuterie, especially paté and terrines. Cold roast beef. Cold game pies. Simple grilled meat like steak frites, Mediterranean fare, or sausage with chips, haricot beans, or lentils. Shepherd’s pie and its French equivalent, hachis parmentier*. Goat and sheep cheeses, mild brie, and camembert.
About. A humble, everyday Bordeaux rouge from a tiny, ten-person team winery with a 50-year history. The head of their family business, Philippe Carretero, engineer—oenologist, has led this team for about 30 of the 50 years Chateau Sicot has existed. Compared to many of the wineries around the world and even in Bordeaux, this Chateau is small. It may be because of their size that they’ve managed to successfully (& quickly) commit and convert their vineyards over to organic farming, achieving ECOCERT certification in 2009.
The process of achieving an organic certification is time-consuming and expensive, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. They’ve seen the life of their soils strengthen, preventing erosion & the deterioration of microorganisms vital to keeping the ground healthy. Their vines have become healthier and more resistant to disease as well, all resulting in better fruit, which yields better wine!
