Château La Commanderie St Emilion 2019

Château La Commanderie, a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, is owned by a young couple, Magali and Thibaut Decoster, who purchased this 4.5ha property that is quietly getting better and better. Located between very famous neighbors: Châteaux Cheval Blanc and Figeac on the West side, Château La Dominique on the North side, and Château Chauvin on the East side. One third of their vineyard is next to the border with Pomerol, on gravelly soils, giving this estate exceptional terroir indeed.

The property, despite being a Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion, thanks to its terroir and quality of its wines is a little more “off the beaten path", as it is only 3.7 hectares large, which is more some Pomerol standards in term of size. The vineyards are planted with 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, from an average of 35 year old vines. The production is about 18,000 bottles per year. The Chateau has a long history, dating back to the 13th century, when the chateau was providing wine for the Commanderie of Knights and Monks of St. John of Jerusalem, hence the roots of the name of the property. 

The Chateau was acquired in 2017 by Thibaut and Magali Decoster, who also own Clos des Jacobins and Chateau de Candale in Saint-Emilion. After they arrived, the Decosters made a lot of investments and conducted a complete renovation of the cellars and wine-making facilities.They also changed how the vineyards were being tended. They began an organic, sustainable farming approach. 

Notes of fresh blackberry, wild strawberry and blackcurrant, combined with fine woody notes, dark chocolate and a hint of peppery licorice. The mouth is fruity and well balanced, silky and offers a very nice freshness. On the palate, we find the same notes of fresh blackberry, fruits of the undergrowth with some touches of chocolate and toasted wood. The tannins are fine and elegant, offering a good length.