“The wines of Listrac-en-Médoc offer excellent value for money, with aromas of black fruit, notes of cedar and tobacco, and a persistent, spicy finish. Wines absolutely worth discovering.” – Wine Enthusiast
For those who don’t know the “Cru Artisan” designation, here’s what makes it distinctive:
“Cru artisan” wines are a relatively recent Bordeaux designation. It was created in 2012 to recognise small wine producers who take an artisanal approach to growing and winemaking.
These wines are produced using traditional, artisanal methods, with particular attention paid to every stage of production. The vines are farmed organically or sustainably, without excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted so that only the best are kept.
“Cru artisan” wines are produced on a small scale, often by family vineyard owners. They’re frequently vinified in concrete or wooden vats and aged in oak barrels for varying periods. The result is a quality wine, complex and balanced, that reflects the terroir and the winemaker’s know-how.
“Cru artisan” wines are seen as an alternative to the better-known and more expensive Bordeaux wines. They offer excellent value for money and are often more affordable than Bordeaux’s grands crus classés.
On to the tasting:
A dark robe with chocolatey tones; the nose is very woody, and aromas of red fruit emerge, though discreetly.
On the palate it’s discreet at first, but it offers a lovely balanced length with a little spike of acidity.
There’s that length I call “flat” — meaning the aromas are non-existent at the start, almost absent, and then explode all at once. I haven’t managed to find a way to describe this phenomenon, but I’m working on it 😉
This wine will be tricky to find, but a visit to the Médoc is probably the best way!
Leave a Reply