2003
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AC Premières Côtes de Bordeaux
GRAPE VARIETIES 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
HARVEST The harvest was a very special one. Mr. Garot, who used to be our regisseur before his retirement, commented in August that not once during the 20th century had we started as early at Carsin as this year: we had to look at the 1800's. He continued to say that last time the grapes were as ripe, was in 1929! The sugar levels were truly very high, but due to the hot and dry summer, the physiological ripeness (soft tannins and aromas) of the grapes was not as advanced. We had the choice of either pick by the sugar level or by physiological ripeness. We opted for the later. We started the Merlots on September 3rdrd. The weather was very kind to us and the vineyards were in excellent conditions. Therefore we were able to pick slowly with no strains coming from rain or other nature's threats.
WINE-MAKING Fermentations for Merlot were mainly carried out in rotating vinimatic tanks. The Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented in traditional-style stainless steel red fermentation tanks and the Malbec and the Cabernet Franc was fermented separtely in small tanks using hand-plunging instead of pumping-over to extract the colour and tannins from the skins. Specially selected yeast strains were used. After alcoholic fermentation the wines were kept in contact with their skins to gain more structure. The malolactic fermentation was conducted in new oak barriques and in tank. The wine was matured for 20 months in new oak barrels before bottling without filtration in November 2005.
TASTING NOTES Château Carsin Cuvée 2003 is perhaps our most elegant wine made to this date. It has a very dark, almost opaque, ruby red colour. A youthful, intense nose is already nicely developed and with classic Bordeaux characters: aromas of dark berries and earth supported by defined oak ageing. The palate is intensive with sweet spiciness, dark chocolate and earth. Soft tannins and strong oak flavours form an elegant wine with a very long fruity, spicy and somewhat mouth drying finish.
SUGGESTIONS Château Carsin Cuvée 2003 can be drunk already now, but the aromas will continue to gain complexity during further ageing. The wine will keep well at least until 2015. Enjoy with dark meat and hard cheeses. Suggested serving temperature 19-21°C.
PRODUCTION
Bottled in November 2005 |
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