2009 Château le Boscq, St Estèphe, Bordeaux

The most widely planted grape in Bordeaux and a grape that has been on a relentless expansion drive throughout the world in the last decade. Merlot is adaptable to most soils and is relatively simple to cultivate. It is a vigorous naturally high yielding grape that requires savage pruning - over-cropped Merlot-based wines are dilute and bland. It is also vital to pick at optimum ripeness as Merlot can quickly lose its varietal characteristics if harvested overripe.

Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost of the most important communes of the Médoc, bordering Pauillac on its southernmost border, with only a gully and stream separating it from Ch. Lafite Rothschild. The wines can appear austere in youth, but the best typically display good depth of colour, pronounced acidity and tannins in youth, and are exceptionally long-lived. At their best, they are the equal of almost any Bordeaux.

Château Le Boscq is a Cru Bourgeois wine estate in the St Estephe appellation in Bordeaux, and has been owned by Dourthe since 1995.  The Dourthe is part of the CVBG group, which also comprises Kressman and Delor,  and is one of the leading négociant companies in Bordeaux. The property owns 18 hectares of vineyards with a high proportion of Merlot (60%).  Dourthe have managed the estate with a view to producing a high quality wine, with relatively low yields.