We are delighted to offer the second vintage of the excellent Thienpont Cotes de Castillon property of L'Hetre. The Chateau is perched at the end of the limestone plateau that runs west toward St Emilion. The vineyards face south easterly and enjoy a continuous breeze – with the soils a mix of clay, limestone and chalk on the slopes, lending itself to growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The 2016 was the first vintage completely under the Thienpont family and the wine was re-named L’Hetre, meaning beech tree thus continuing the arboreal theme that Jacques has at all his estates – Le Pin (Pine) & L’If (Yew).
The 2017s are beautifully fresh and energetic, with a super structure and long finish; these are not to be missed!
2017 L’Hetre, Cotes de Castillon
£95 per case of 6 in bond.
L’Hêtre 2017 is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and was aged for 15 months in one third new oak barrels, two thirds one vintage old barrels. The wine comes from the parcels situated on the limestone plateau of the domain, from 20-year-old vines which are farmed organically and certified by Ecocert. It has a dark purple colour; is bright and energetic on the nose with attractive berry fruit aromas; on the attack the wine has good rich texture with quite firm tannins and a taut, long, spicy finish.
2017 La Raison d’Hetre
£114 per case of 12 in bond.
Raison d’Hêtre, the second wine is a blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from the young vines and from the parcels of clay-limestone on the lower slopes. It has a pretty dark violet colour, has an open, expressive nose of red fruit, vanilla and a touch of caramel. On the palate the wine is round and balanced with good, fresh plummy fruit with an attractive long and lively finish.
These cases are lying at Seckford and are in bond.