2023 Chateau Barde-Haut Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Barde-Haut sits where Saint-Emilion's limestone plateau runs out on its eastern edge. The neighbors are Troplong Mondot, Pavie Macquin, Trotte Vieille and Tour Saint-Christophe.

The vineyard is 17 hectares in one south-facing amphitheater above the Dordogne valley. A thick layer of clay sits on limestone. When it rains, the rock soaks up the surplus. In a drought, it hands that water back to the vines.

The Garcin family bought the estate in 2000. Helene Garcin-Leveque and her husband, Patrice Leveque, run it alongside Clos l'Eglise in Pomerol. They rebuilt the cellar so the fruit moves by gravity. In 2012 Barde-Haut was promoted to Grand Cru Classe.

The 2023 is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, picked between September 14 and 28. The team kept sulfur out until just before bottling to protect the aromatics. In the glass it is dark cherry and plum, mocha, a little leather and a cool minty lift.

This is plateau Saint-Emilion that doesn't make you wait a decade. The tannins are plush, the texture is creamy, and there is real grip underneath. Decant it an hour and pour it with a ribeye.