Château Pavillon Beauregard, Le Chapelain, 2014

Château Pavillon Beauregard Le Chapelain 2014 is adorned with a flattering deep Burgundy colour and reveals an already attractive and complex nose of red and black fruit cordials, prune, liquorice and finely toasted oak. The palate confirms these promises, seductively rounded with a soft and creamy character that envelops firm acidity and tight tannins. With its controlled power, Pavillon Beauregard is well equipped to face five to eight years in the cellar or more, but its richness of fruit might make it difficult to forget about for that long.

The gravel and clay soil is planted in the classic right bank blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Two plots, adding up to about 1 hectare, of 45 year old vines planted on the gravel have been selected for the Le Chapelain cuvée. With the malolactic fermentation and ageing taking place in barriques, these selected parcels create a delicious wine very much in a Pomerol style and, like a lot of wines from this appellation, at excellent value.

The beautiful, old vine Merlot makes this Ch√¢teau Pavillon Beauregard Le Chapelain a highly pleasurable young wine. It is bright and juicy and the oak has integrated very nicely. The Cabernet Franc, which represents 30% of the blend, not only brings freshness to the wine but also the promise of a bright future. The wine spends eighteen months in oak, 60% of which is renewed each year.

• ❖ ABV: 13%