2009 Bernadotte (Haut-Medoc)

An underachiever for years until bought in 1997 by May-Eliane de Lencquesaing of Pichon Lalande, Bernadotte, is now unlocking its potential as part of the Roederer portfolio. May-Eliane admired the terroir because it neighbours Pauillac and indeed part of the land is Pauillac. What she also saw was that the best vines weren`t always planted in the right places. So there has been an increase in Merlot to take advantage of the clay undersoils, which is one of the reasons Bernadotte has done so well in the dry 2009 vintage. Never overstressed, the vines produced almost perfect grapes, making an outstanding wine of power, minerality and beautifully managed tannins, all supporting concentrated fruit. All picking is by hand and extraction is light, so the wine is enjoyable relatively young, even in a brilliant vintage like this.