Chateau Crabitey Graves Rouge 2018

Alcohol: 14.5%

Grape(s): 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot

Localization: Bordeaux, France

Tasting notes: Château Crabitey Graves Rouge presents a dark cherry color with nice ruby ​​glints. The nose is fresh, revealing a wide range of red fruit aromas, along with a mellow and elegant oak presence. The mouth is powerful and round, supported by smooth and subtle tannins. The wine reveals a good length on the palate, with fruity and slightly oaky notes.

Food pairing: Grilled lamb, beef stroganoff and hard cheeses

Notes: Complete destemming. Cold maceration for 3 to 4 days, then vinification in stainless steel vats. Average fermentation temperature 72°F to 80°F. Maceration for about 20 days at 86°F. Aging in French oak barrels (1/3 new) for 12 months. No filtration before bottling.

The Domain: Château Crabitey is situated in the town of Portets, a flagship wine-growing area in the Graves area of Bordeaux.

The Château was built in 1872 by Franciscan nuns who used it as an orphanage. The nuns planted vines in order to provide an income for the children in their care. After being in the hands of the church for more than 100 years, the estate was entrusted to Jean-Ralph de Butler. He restructured and extended the vineyards, and also built a new winery. In 1998, Jean-Ralph's son, Arnaud, succeeded his father and purchased the estate in full in 2008.

The vineyards of the Graves benefit from the cooling influence of the Garonne River just to the east, and the deep gravel soils add minerality and complexity to the wines.