by Patchen Markell » Mon Dec 04, 2017 3:11 pm
Château le Puy 2013 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, Cuvée Emilien. 85% Merlot, the rest mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and a tiny bit of Carmenere. The somm represented this as a bottling that uses minimal but not zero sulfur, as opposed to the unsulfured "Barthélemy," not sure if that's right, but in any case this bottle seemed to be in great shape. Clear deep ruby, slightly funky-leathery topnote on top of brisk, medium-bodied red and black fruit with moist tobacco and graphite. I wouldn't have pegged it as a Merlot-dominant blend, because of the strength of the tobacco and pencil elements; in fact, tasting blind, I'd probably have guessed a very good Loire Cabernet Franc. Liked this a lot and would seek it out again.
cheers, Patchen