2021 Château Rocher-Calon Montagne-Saint-Émilion

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from the 35 year old vines at Rocher-Calon’s 40 acre estate vineyard in Négrit. Aged 18 months in a combination of stainless steel and cement vats. 100,000 bottles made.  13.0% alcohol.

Inviting aromas of ripe red berries, black cherries, and subtle blackberries, layered with hints of licorice and soft spices. Medium to full-bodied with a harmonious blend of dark fruit flavors, gentle tannins, and a touch of minerality. Notes of plum and cassis mingle with a delicate hint of oak. Smooth and balanced, leaving a long-lasting impression of ripe fruit and soft spice.

Château Rocher Calon is located on some of the best soils of Montagne Saint-Émilion. It all started with Pierre Lagardere, who returning home after WWI, bought a hectare of land in Pomerol thus beginning the family tradition o winemaking. Over the next four generations the family increased their acreage through the acquisition of new vineyards throughout the Libournais and recently invested in the cellar – boasting temperature-controlled ageing cellars, pneumatic wine press and micro-oxygenation equipment. A qualitive approach to  viticulture is standard, with green harvesting, leaf-removals and hand picking over several passes the norm. The 50 acres of vineyard are mainly planted with Merlot and some Cabernet Franc, with an average of 35 years old vine. With 4,500 acres under vine and with close to 220 growers, Montagne is the largest of all the St. Émilion Satellite appellation. The appellation, located just south of Lussac St. Émilion, and less than 5km from the St. Emilion village, takes its name from the translation of Montagne into mountain. The commune’s terroir is made up of a series of rolling hills and clay with limestone on the slopes for its soils. The plateau consists of limestone, gravel and sand in the soil. Merlot is the dominant grape, followed by Cabernet Franc. The terroir here can be compared to St. Émilion, in fact the region is only separated by a small river.