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Montagne Saint Emilion
Philippe Lamarque
Perched majestically on the top of an amphitheatre shaped escarpment, overlooking their own vines at the front, with a wonderful view of Saint-Emilion in the distance, Château Puynormond epitomizes vigour, youth, passion and patience through the accumulated experience of four generations. I met the current owner, Philippe Lamarque, during my wine studies, as we were at the same wine school. After a few weeks, Philippe invited some of his classmates to visit the vineyard, which belonged to his parents then, in the beautiful village of Montagne Saint-Emilion (north east of Saint-Emilion). I still remember vividly the warm welcome of his parents and how easy their wine was to drink. So easy to drink that I forget the number of bottles and different vintages that his father gave us to taste that day.
The vineyard is 12 hectares large (about 30 acres) and the majority of the vines are situated on a south facing hill-side. The quality of the wine is improved by carrying out a green harvest before the remainder of the grapes are harvested manually. The vines produce about 45 hectolitres per hectare for the “Vieilles Vignes” wine and 55 for the normal wine.
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Montagne Saint Emilion 2016 75 cl 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc Deep ruby color with purple hues due to its youth, this vintage offers a limpid and clear shine.
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Montagne Saint Emilion Vieilles Vignes 2016 75 cl 100% Merlot. Ageing: 12 months in 50% new, 25% 1 year old, 25% 2 years old oak barrels. This wine has a deep ruby color, which is tinged with dark shades more sustained. Clear and shiny, it offers violet reflections because it is still young. This wine confers intense and elegant aromas of red fruits on hints of spices; vanilla, cinnamon. It also offers a warm and round woody, enhanced by scents of jam. It will marry wonderfully with your everyday dishes as with the most elaborate dishes. Salty, sweet, do not hesitate to associate it with your own taste. Red wine and chocolate make a wonderful couple! |
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Montagne Saint-Emilion 2010 Magnum (150 cl) 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc Impressively deep plum is dark with lots of dusky, animal-like notes. Ripe Merlot is 90% of the cuvée, (along with 10% Cabernet Franc) and show the power than can be achieved with this grape when grown in the right place. Very powerful and is framed with substantial tannins, both from the skins and the oak. |
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Montagne Saint-Emilion “Vieilles Vignes” 2009 Magnum (150 cl) 100% Merlot. Ageing: 12 months in 50% new, 25% 1 year old, 25% 2 years old oak barrels. This wine has a clear, deep ruby color with purple reflections due to his youth. This nose gives intense and elegant aromas of red fruits, currant, blackberry, cherry and plum. It offers a nice persistence enhanced by notes of cooked fruits. This wine is delicious and generous on the palate with flavors that reflect the nose. There are persistent tannins, and an elegant, fine, long finish. |