Sirius Rouge

WINEMAKER NOTES

Created in 1985 by Peter Sichel to prove that it was possible to apply the same meticulous care and methods as for the Grands Crus Classés of Graves and Pessac-Léognan to less prestigious terroirs to obtain a fine, fruity, rounded and complex wine at an affordable price. Peter Sichel chose to illustrate the label with the Dog Star, Sirius, after the brightest star in the solar system.

TASTING NOTES

A brooding crimson with dark purple tints heralds in the richness which awaits the taster. The expressive bouquet of black fruits, blackcurrant and black cherry, imparts astonishing complexity which evolves towards elegant toasty notes and vanilla aromas – the fruit of superb wine craftsmanship. On the palate, finely balanced tannins are wrapped in smooth, creamy extract, offering immediate pleasure and a succulence that goes on and on. A fresh, fruity back-of-palate signs off this great Bordeaux with a flourish

VINEYARD

The vineyards, on mainly clay-limestone soils, are located along the banks of the Garonne river.

• Area: 150 hectares
• Average Age of Vines: 30 years

VINIFICATION

The majority of the grapes are vinified in the traditional Bordeaux way: the bunches are totally de-stemmed and the grapes fermented, in vat, at between 27 and 32oC to extract color and tannins. There follows a period of vatting (15-21 days) to give the wines their characteristic Bordeaux structure and the potential to age well. To maximize the fruit, however, the remaining proportion of grapes undergoes carbonic maceration.

PRESS

“This branded wine, produced by one of the most respected Bordeaux merchants, is ripe, softly textured and full of generous fruit. Tannins still give dryness and structure, while the main thrust is of black plum and balanced acidity. The wine is ready to drink.”

– Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 90 Points