Chateau Calvimont Graves Rouge 2019  £16.71

CHATEAU CALVIMONT ROUGE

Xavier and Caroline Perromat took over Château Calvimont in 2012, along with Château de Cérons. The couple inherited Xavier’s parents’ estate and began to put their own stamp on the vines and the wines.

Château Calvimont comes from specific plots which have always belonged to the Cérons estate; the Marquis de Calvimont was the owner in the late 18th century. Viticulture is sustainable and winemaking in the gravity-fed cellar is precise, producing Graves wines with a fine minerality and balance. The vineyards are on a plateau of gravel over limestone overlooking the river Garonne, perfect terroir for Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in particular.

The gravity-fed winery is designed for the gentlest processing of the hand-harvested grapes and this is particularly beneficial in the making of high-quality wines. Fermentation took place in small, thermo-regulated vats, and lasted 20 to 30 days depending on the variety. Malolactic fermentation took place in cement vats before the wine was transferred to barrels (20% new) for twelve months.

Crunchy, hedgerow fruit with fine balance, medium, well-judged tannins, very drinkable and fresh on the finish. Try with Beef or Venison.