Chateau La Garde, Pessac-Leognan 2011

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This Pessac-L�ognan property dates back to the 18th century, with viticulture practised here since the 19th, and from 1990 it has been under the control of highly respected n�gociants, Vignobles Dourthe. Of the 53 hectares of vineyards, 50 are dedicated to red grapes: mostly merlot, on sandy clay, and cabernet sauvignon, which is planted with a little cabernet franc and petit verdot on deep gravel soils. There are also 3.6 hectares of sauvignon blanc and sauvignon gris grown on clay in a cooler section of the vineyard. All grapes are hand picked. The white is both vinified and aged in barrels, whereas the red is fermented in stainless-steel tanks before being aged in oak for 12 to 14 months. The result is an impressively reliable modern claret with velvety concentration and dense, dark fruit flavours.