This remarkable wine comes from the historic right bank, where Saint-Émilion’s limestone, clay, and sand soils yield wines of exceptional balance, minerality, and age-worthiness. But what truly sets this bottle apart is the extraordinary care and detail that go into every step of its creation.
The 2021 Chouette is crafted perfectly harmonious blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. The Cabernet Sauvignon brings its power and complexity, adding backbone, structure, and depth, while the Merlot contributes opulence, elegance, and finesse, giving the wine its plush texture and signature right bank charm.
Quality starts in the vineyard: the grapes are harvested entirely by hand, then sorted twice — before and after destemming — ensuring only the finest fruit is used.
Unlike many modern reds in Bordeaux, the grapes were not crushed, but underwent a whole cluster malolactic fermentation in strictly temperature-controlled oak casks for 30 days, which enhance the aromatic complexity and lend beautiful finesse to the tannins. Then six gentle punchdowns daily helped to extract color, flavor, and structure while preserving the fruit’s purity.
After fermentation, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 75% of which are new — it strikes just the right balance between subtle oak influence and the pure expression of fruit and terroir.
In the glass, the result is stunning: a deep ruby hue, with inviting aromas of ripe black cherries, blackcurrant, violets, cedar, and a subtle touch of graphite. On the palate, it’s medium to full bodied yet wonderfully layered with a fleshy core of fruit and a lively juiciness — the Cabernet’s structure and complexity perfectly balanced by the Merlot’s plushness and grace. Fine-grained tannins, bright acidity, and a vibrant minerality carry through to a long, elegant finish.
While it’s already delightful now with a bit of air, it has the structure and balance to evolve beautifully over 15 to 20 years. Over time, its tannins will soften and its flavors will gain even more depth and nuance.
It’s a perfect companion for classic pairings like herb-roasted lamb, duck breast with a berry sauce, or a charcuterie board with aged cheeses.
