Winemaker: Louis de Cazenove 
Grape: 66% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Bordeaux, France
At the end of the nineteenth century, the vineyard “Le Maqueline” was part of a large estate owned by Nathaniel Johnston, about 3 miles from Margaux village. That domain encompassed fine wine estate, as Chateau Dauzac, ranked “5th grand cru classe Margaux” and bordered La Maqueline’s estate, next to the actual Chateau de Cazenove.
In 1989, Wilhelmina de Cazenove van Essen and her children decided to restore the old vineyard. They selected the perfect parcels, planted them with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that yield excellent results in this fertile soil, mainly composed by red clay from alluvium over limestone.
They farm the vineyard with attentive care, as green-harvesting, thinning out the leaves to improve the state of health and maturity. Each grape variety is vinifyed separately in stainless steel tanks. Wine than undergo a long fermentation on the skin, under controlled temperature to extract the vintage’s character.
Later on, the wine is aged in oak casks and yields harmonious finesse and complexity. 2005 vintage was one of the most amazing vintages in decades for Bordeaux. The prices of wines skyrocketed and they will be a valuable addition to wine collector’s cellars.
Tasting notes:
Rich but approachable red blend has an aroma of ripe raspberries. The gorgeously dense structure characterize the 2005 vintage with a touch of licorice. Generous and silky tannins are balanced and offer a mouthful, long finish.
This wine is modern Bordeaux, drinkable now but the quality in the bottle promises improvement if kept for a few more years. On the market for about $12.00, this wine is a steal!
Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 15.00
Ideal food pairing:
Steak, grilled barbeque meats, Easy pork chops with onions and peppers, casseroles, Chili, Roasted duck
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