13.5% abv, Union de Producteurs à Côtes de Castillon, Udpse, imported by Chatelaine Inc., Dallas, TX
This co-op Bordeaux was a really nice surprise from the celebrated 2015 vintage in Bordeaux. The wines of Castillon are exclusively red in this right bank appellation as well. Here, the clay soils favor Merlot but some pickets of limestone and sandy gravel provide what Cabernet needs to ripen. The 2015 Roy Charles is 75% Merlot with 25% Cabernet (Franc or Sauvignon is not distinguished by this producer).
The wine is deep ruby in color with a hint of garnet, and features a clean nose of medium+ intensity with aromas of black currant, cooked plum, graphite, cedar, blueberry, menthol, and eucalyptus. There is a bit of tertiary aroma and flavor here, and I sense this value Côtes de Bordeaux has really hit its stride. Structurally, the acid is medium, body is medium, alcohol is medium, and the finish is medium+ with medium flavor intensity and some charged terroir inflections of woodspice, graphite, eucalyptus and a resolved core of plum and redcurrant. Drink now or through 2025, this wine is good: 8.8/10.
