Domaine Du Castel Grand Vin

Full-bodied, bold, concentrated, and with layer after layer of aromas and flavors that linger on. Look for currants, cherries, plums, and spices on the palate, with hints of cedar. A great match for full-flavored beef or chicken dishes. Critical Acclaim RP90 The Wine Advocate - "The 2010 Grand Vin, like the Petit Castel this year, is a big wine (15%+ alcohol), essentially a Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (25%) blend with Petit Verdot at 5%. It adds quite a bit of solidity compared to the Petit Castel this year and that extra mid-palate depth may serve it in good stead for providing some counterpoints to both the alcohol and the tannins. After some 3 hours open, the Petit Castel had pretty much gone where it was going to go, while this was still deep and sevolving. This is powerful, but it still seems both more impressive and better balanced than its little brother, needing only to shed the initially oaky overlay and settle down. All things considered, given the difficulties in the vintage, it turned out pretty well. I certainly could feel the alcohol in the background - which caused some concern and caused me to be conservative in evaluation - but at least at the moment, after some air, it is drinking surprisingly well, even if it seems rather burly for Castel. You'd still be well advised to try it next Fall, not now. Drink 2014-2022."