REGION: Bordeaux, France

VARIETIES: Merlot

ALCOHOL:  13.5%

VITICULTURE: Sustainable

YEAR: 2011

INFO:
Not many know that the wonderful appellation of Fronsac used to be the high-water mark for Bordeaux, long before Pauillac, Margaux and the other prestigious names were even created. Indeed, one of the leading Chateaux of the region, la Dauphine, was named in honour of wife of the Dauphin (son of the King) in the mid-1700s. Pavillon is a much smaller, intimate and family-owned vineyard, unusually planting only Merlot. Although not certified organic, they use no pesticides and theirs is a very approachable, juicy style.

7 WORD WINE REVIEW:

Smooth, fruit-forward and very drinkable. Modern Bordeaux.