Bordeaux Month is now in full swing at Derventio Wines. We are offering 10% across all of our Bordeaux wines for the rest of the month! Therefore, it is the perfect time to explore this fascinating region. To help you do this, this week's wines (yes that's right, we've have multiple again!) are what have become known in our Saville Street shop as 'Harry's/my brother's favourite wine'...
Chateau Yon Figeac Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé and Les Roches Yon Figeac
Just as last week's newsletter started with how we discovered the wine, so will this week's. But instead of being a trip to Leeds (relatively low on the excitement scales), this one was a trip to Saint Emilion in June 2023. We went out to France as a family to celebrate a birthday with a 0 and found ourselves exploring the vineyards of Saint-Emilion. If you are ever in the region then I highly highly recommend taking a day to do this and if you want some recommendations of where to visit then give us a shout.
Anyway, the wine. Chateau Yon Figeac was the second winery on the agenda for the day. Well, when Harry tasted that first wine, he was just delighted. We all loved them but Harry, he was ecstatic.
So what is in the bottle that Harry loved so much? This week we are on the right bank of the river which means it should be predominantly Merlot and this week we are sticking to the rules! The vineyard is planted with around 80% Merlot grapes, with smaller amounts of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot (slightly less common for the area) that go into the blends.
Why two wines? A common way for Bordeaux Chateaus to produce wines is to have their 'Chateau wine' or their 'Grand Vin', this is the most premium, and then often they have a second label, for wines which are made using the grapes that are not deemed fit for the top tier of wine. They can also go on to have a 3rd or even 4th label which tier accordingly.
Does this mean that the 'second' wine won't be any good? Absolutely not! You will find that second wines are often fresher and lighter in style - made for drinking younger. Some people prefer this style over the more complex and intense 'Grand Vin' or sometimes there is just the right occasion for the right wine!
Starting with Les Roches Yon Figeac (2018) - a blend of Merlot and Cab Franc (around 10%), it is aged in foudres (large casks) to lessen the influence of oak on the wine. It is supple and juicy, full of red fruits, with soft notes of vanilla. This is drinking beautifully now and is designed to be drunk in the next few years.
Chateau Yon Figeac (2018) is also a blend of Merlot and Cab Franc, with the addition of Petit Verdot. This adds a deeper colour to the wine and enhances the tannic structure. It is also aged in French Oak Barrels which means that the influence of oak is much more present in this wine. It is a full and serious wine that will continue to age well for the next 10-15 years.
Both of these wines will pair beautifully with Roast Lamb if you happen to be having a roast this weekend. If not then what about Saint Nectaire cheese? This is one of my favourites and can always be found in Saint Emilion, as well as the Deli of Malton for those looking for a local option.
This week Les Roches Yon Figeac will be £18 and Chateau Yon Figeac with be £28.80.
Available to try today and tomorrow in our Saville Street Shop OR you can buy online and have it delivered straight to your door.
