Region: Montagne-Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Varietal: Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting notes: Dense purple color with violet hues, a very fruity bouquet embellished with aromas of cherries and blackberries, hints of cinnamonand vanilla with toasted notes, modern accents, still young on the attack, rather surly and understated, a fruity type.

Producer: In 1858, the Ducourt family settled at Château des Combes in Ladaux, a small rural village to the south east of Bordeaux. Over time, subsequent generations have followed in their footsteps; a passion for wine has become a profession, and both their knowledge and the estate have grown ever greater as they have been passed down the line. Today, the Ducourt family possesses one of the largest independant vineyard holdings in the region : 480 hectares of vines, spread out over 14 châteaux in the Entre-Deux-Mers and Saint-Emilion appellations.

Vineyard and Winemaking: Château Plaisance is located in the heart of the Saint-Émilion appellation. The Château is not a newcomer to this area, it was constructed in 1886. The historic property was acquired by the Ducourt family in 1994. It is situated to the west of Montagne, on the border between the Saint-Emilion and Lalande-de-Pomerol appellations. The terroir, with loamy-clay soils, and the gentle slopes allow for excellent natural drainage. Ageing is in oak barrels for 12 months (33% new, 33% once-used, 33% twice-used).