Deep ruby color; black cherry, plum, redcurrant, tea, light oak, leather on the nose and palate.
Dry; gentle tannins and acidity. Medium body. Fresh, juicy. Relatively simple, but no flaws, straightforward expression of Right Bank merlot with a dash of cab franc to provide dark drama. Blend of 80% merlot, 20% cabernet franc. Grapes vinified in stainless steel. Fermented in tank with pump overs. Malolactic fermentation in tank. Aged in stainless steel. 14% ABV
The family of Malet Roquefort has worked at Saint Emilion since 1705. They own seven wine-producing estates in the Bordeaux and Saint Emilion AOC and the famous Château La Gaffelière 1st growth. The family started Comtesse de Malet Roquefort in 2012 in order to share Right Bank wines with the largest number of consumers. It is produced by the same team as Château La Gaffelière. They consider it the gateway wine to their entire collection.
While the Malet Roquefort family traces their wine history in Bordeaux to 1705, their lands have grown grapes since Roman times. In 1969, the family discovered ruins of the Gallo-Roman Villa du Palat with mosaics depicting vine plantings. Château La Gaffelière, which gained status in 1954 as a Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, is the original estate of the Malet Roquefort family.
The website notes: “In 2001, the family united three estates, Château La Gaffelière, Château Chapelle d’Aliénor, and Château Armens, under a single brand: Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort. Later, in 2008 Château La Connivence also joined the Domaines. Today, the Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort estates include: Château La Gaffelière, Château Chapelle d’Aliénor, Château Armens, and Château La Connivence. Founded on the four guiding principles of excellence, elegance, authenticity, and independence, the Malet Roqueforts have passed on their traditions, generation after generation, and today Alexandre de Malet Roquefort is at the helm of Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort. Like his ancestors, he shares a passion for wine and for the Saint-Émilion terroir which they call home.”
Comtesse de Malet Roquefort Bordeaux Rouge 2020 is supple, sauve, soft, juicy, fresh Right Bank mostly merlot. Straightforward, modern introduction to the Malet Roquefort family’s stable of Bordeaux and Saint Emilion wines from seven estates. Pair with beef dishes, especially grilled; lamb; veal; wild game—venison, boar; chicken; comfort food–meat loaf, pizza, burgers. Cheese—merlot is very versatile with cheese; cheddar, havarti, swiss, gruyere, parmesan, asiago, muenster, gouda, brie, colby, camembert, gorgonzola. $15-18
Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort website
