Orbite De Cantinot – 2011 – Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

Red wine with a slightly developed colour; the core is medium ruby, but the rim is indicating a certain evolution. Quite expressive nose here, with a lot of spiciness; I get notes of leather, some tobacco, dry spices. Fruit character is quite on the sweet side, fairly ripe, with sweet plum and sweet red berries. There’s a hint of oak there but pretty well integrated, I think just a touch of something lightly roasted. Palate is quite nicely rounded already; it’s still a rather youthful wine but I think in terms of texture, the tannins have dissolved pretty well. I get that sweet red fruity character, like sweet plum, those red berry notes, and again a dash of that spice box. Quite rounded and unctuous in terms of texture. There’s a fair deal of complexity as well, because we have that fine spiciness lingering on the finish. So nice character here, a certain complexity, fine drinkability. A wine with not a huge density yet still with the weight to go on and develop for some years; but I find it drinkable already.

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