David Biraud

Meilleur ouvrier de France 2004
Meilleur sommelier de France 2002

This fruit-forward wine displays a fine ruby color, with aromas highlighting small black fruit (black currants and blackberries), and a touch of spice that is both fine and discreet. Elegant, supple tannins on the palate give the wine a tender character. These qualities make this an easy drinking wine which can be appreciated early, although it can easily age for another two to four years.

Food matches such as grilled red meats, lightly-spiced charcuterie and poultry make it a true Côtes de Castillon, an appellation on the rise.

David Biraud

Meilleur ouvrier de France 2004
Meilleur sommelier de France 2002

This wine comes from one of the greatest vintages to date, as is evident from the wine's deep violet color and its potential for long aging. The nose is complex and elegant, showing jammy black fruit and a touch of black currant liqueur, aromas which are the signs of a mature harvest. In the mouth the wine comes across as direct and firm thanks to tannins which are still expressive and youthful. Its texture on the palate is dense and attractive; cooked black fruit comes across in its body and finish, with an element of spice and black pepper. This is wine made for pleasure and can age for around five years more without losing its charm. It can accompany red meats cooked rare, pigeon, beef, and feathered game.

David Biraud

Meilleur ouvrier de France 2004
Meilleur sommelier de France 2002

The summer heat wave undoubtedly left its mark on this vintage. Very deep purplish-red colour. The oak component comes through first and foremost on the nose at this stage, with mocha and roasted aromas. However, there is bright, attractive jammy fruit (reminiscent of blackberry preserves) in the background, just waiting to open up. 2003 Clos les Lunelles is fairly massive on the palate, with considerable richness typical of the vintage as well as a tight tannic texture. There is a velvety quality on the middle palate and a very long aftertaste. The tannin is quite round and ripe.

David Biraud

Meilleur ouvrier de France 2004
Meilleur sommelier de France 2002

Typical of what is generally considered an early-maturing vintage in Bordeaux. Beautiful ruby-red colour and an intense bouquet with hints of toasty oak and chocolate. Quite firm on the palate with more tannin than the 2003 vintage and more traditional in style. The middle palate is well-structured and there is plenty of body, but not to excess.

The spicy, attractive aftertaste is not dry. It is perfect with roast rib of veal, beef fillet, or cheese (especially aged Brie, Saint Nectaire, and Pont l'Evêque).

David Biraud

Meilleur ouvrier de France 2004
Meilleur sommelier de France 2002

Somewhat overshadowed by the reputation of the 2000 vintage, the fine overall quality of the 2001 vintage is becoming increasingly apparent as time goes on. This wine has a deep garnet-red colour and a concentrated bouquet of blackcurrant liqueur, blackberry jam, and well-integrated oak. There is a slight hotness that is best offset by serving at the appropriate temperature, no more than 16-18° C. 2001 Clos les Lunelles is very pleasant on the palate with youthful, firm tannin. This provides a wonderful backbone and enhances the wine's ageing potential. The aftertaste is delicious, with a tiny touch of bitterness, but this can be compensated for by dishes in a sauce - which also tend to round out the tannin. It makes a wonderful accompaniment to stews (especially beef), but also game in a sweet and sour sauce - which is ideal to counterbalance the slight bitterness on the end mentioned above.