Description

Château Chapelle d'Aliénor, located in the village of Mouliets-et-Millermartin near Saint-Émilion, is one of the Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort, a group of estates on the right bank of Bordeaux led by Alexandre de Malet Roquefort. Alexandre and his wife, Aliénor, purchased the estate in 2001, though the illustrious Roquefort family has been in the wine business in Saint-Émilion since the 18th century, and have since grown their holdings by carefully tending to their vineyards and cellars, producing exceptionally high-quality Bordeaux. A single team of oenologists and agronomists work all the Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort with the same attention to detail from Château Chapelle d'Aliénor to the Saint-Émilion 1er Grand Cru Classé Château La Gaffelière. The vines are planted on clay and limestone slopes with gravel on 52 hectares of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The name of the estate comes from an old chapel that stands out among the vines, watching out and protecting the vineyard. Château Chapelle d'Aliénor is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from 35-year-old vines. In the glass, the wine pours an alluring mid-purple color with flecks of garnet. The nose is wonderfully aromatic, clean, and pristine, with notes of blackberries, blueberries, pipe tobacco, and vanilla. The fruit concentration on the palate is brilliant, over-flowing with ripe, fresh berry and cassis flavors perfectly complemented by notes of spice and a savory mineral undertone. The palate is lively, energetic, and powerful, perfectly balanced by well-gripped tannins and a long, sumptuous finish. This a superior Bordeaux Supérieur; a quaffable, easy-drinking red, as well as a home-run food wine.