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Domaine de la Ronceray Saint-Estephe
Year
2006
2006
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Style
Bold
Bold
Origin
France
France
Pairing
Meat
Meat
$26.00 per bottle
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Origin
The northernmost of the four premier wine-growing
appellations of Bordeaux’s Médoc subregion, Saint-
Estèphe lies with Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux
on the left bank of the Gironde. In the famous (and
sometimes controversial) classification of 1855, Saint-
Estèphe was awarded five classified estates, though no
first growths, or premier crus. These châteaux include
second growths Cos d’Estournel and Montrose, third
growth Calon-Ségur, fourth growth Lafon-Rochet, and
fifth growth Cos Labory. Saint-Estèphe wines are said
to have higher acid, denser tannins and darker colors
than other appellations. Pairings
Braised meats and savory stews are
superb for showcasing Bordeaux with
a few years of age. Grilled steaks and
relatively simply prepared protein-rich
dishes with a little pepper, a little salt
and subtle herb flavoring are often the
best possible matches for fine Bordeaux.
Domaine de la Ronceray’s relatively
high percentage of Merlot gives
it a bit of versatility, as it could match
well with lamb rib chops or even
rotisserie chicken with mushrooms in
a red wine sauce. Its texture, however,
also makes it a match for more tender,
slow-cooked dishes like braised lamb
shanks or long-simmered short ribs
with fresh herbs.Serve at cool room temperature (64°F).
Winemaker
In climate and soil, Saint-Estèphe is
overtly similar to the other appellations,
yet it possesses no first growths. Why?
Likely because of the presence of more
clay. Château Cos d’Estournel, at the
region’s southern reach, is a second
growth and has almost identical gravelly
soils to neighboring first-growth Lafite-
Rothschild. Yet, moving north the soils
become heavier with clay. As a result,
more Merlot tends to be used, and the
wines are considered more masculine:
denser, heavier, higher in acid and tannin,
and slower to mature. Domaine de la
Ronceray was created in 1963 by Jacques
Pedro, who also owns Château Lavillotte
in Saint-Estèphe and Château Le
Meynieu in the Haut-Médoc. The Wine
This small (only five-acre estate) puts
out delicious, high-character Bordeaux
wines, which are harvested late
to ensure full maturity, aged for 15
months and bottled without filtration.
The nose is classic Saint-Estèphe, with
dark cherry aromas hovering over a
powerful iron core and inflections of
earth, tobacco and graphite. The savory
flavors continue in the mouth, flanking
a dry red currant quality with hints of
black olive and espresso. The tannins
are firm and the wine has a wiry
muscularity, with good structure and a
pleasant mouthfeel. Recently Viewed :
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