Château Balestard La Tonnelle – 2011 – Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Quite dark colour here, opaque at the core with a dark ruby rim. Intense nose here. Quite flattering with a lot of sweet fruits, rather ripe fruit. Underlined by some roasted notes, vanilla and then blackberry, dark plum, crushed berry fruit and sweet spices like plum. The palate is quite polished. High concentration here, but yet with rather soft texture in terms of tannin. Quite polished, but yet present adding freshness to the palate. There is really a wealth of dark fruit here; dark cherry, dark plum. Fine integration of oak as well. I get something lightly roasted on the finish. Really good length. I would also say today it is a fairly young wine, but with a good drinkability. Adding pleasure to the meal right now. So nice modern, full-bodied, dark fruit example to drink now but with a structure to age for another ten to twelve years easily.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.