Vieux Château Gaubert, Graves 2010

This Graves blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is aged for 12 months in 40% new oak following fermentation. The nose has quite a level of complexity with some savouriness among the ripe dark fruits while the palate is ripe and juicy with blackberry, coffee and a touch of dry spice. The soft, ripe tannins give it a delicious succulence.

Nicely developed it's ready for drinking now and over the next two or three years. Great with game dishes, or grilled red meat.

Dominique Haverlan started out in 1988 with the purchase of, the then run down, Vieux Château Gaubert in the small town of Portets in the Graves region to the south of Bordeaux. Over the next few years, he restored both the buildings and vineyards and this estate has become the base for his stable of other châteaux in the left bank appellations of Graves and Pessac-Léognan. Specialising in the southern Left Bank region of Bordeaux his reds are meticulously made with good longevity, while their dry whites, generally blends of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, are absolutely characteristic of what are Bordeaux's most important white wine appellations.