Saint-Estèphe AOC, Château Linot, 2019

The vineyard of Château Linot is a lovely surprise, a “cru artisan” from Saint-Estèphe! Not so surprising is the very limited production with only 0.6 hectares made up of three plots ideally situated in the heart of the Cos plateau.

Yohan Juste, one of France’s most highly skilled carpenters (Meilleur Ouvrier de France), decided to carry on the family tradition upon the death of his grand-father in 2009. In 2014, while extending the vineyard, he then chose a name for the estate, taken from his childhood memories when he would come and watch the little songbirds called “linots” (linnets).

This is a 4,500-bottle micro-cuvée with a story, so it can also be called a garage wine. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, beautifully balanced, dense, fresh, fruity and fine, it is a wine that can be enjoyed in its youth yet has good ageing potential. Deep garnet in colour, the nose is fruity and delicate, full of red and black fruits with notes of tobacco and chocolate. The attack is clean, dense, subtle and opulent on the palate with wonderful precision and great length on the finish.

It complents red meats and mushrooms perfectly.