By Chateau Messile Aubert Reserve
AOC Montagne Saint-Emilion 2012

Technical Details
Appellation: Montagne Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux Right Bank)
Vineyard: 10 hectares planted with 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Soils: Clay-limestone (from the limestone plateau of St-Emilion)
Vine Age: 35 years on average
Yield: 30-35 hl/ha
Farming/Winemaking: Grapes are hand-picked, plot by plot, then meticulously sorted and placed in tapered wooden barrels. Pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature, with manual stirring (pigeage). Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

Vineyard Notes
The Aubert family have been growing vines and making wine since before the French Revolution, and since 1908, they have been the owners of Chateau La Couspaude - which later became a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe. Montagne Saint Emilion has 1,549 hectares under vine. It is the largest of all the St. Emilion Satellite appellations, with close to 220 growers in the region. On average, close to 775,000 cases of wine are produced in Montagne Saint Emilion each year. The commune boasts a terroir made up of a series of rolling hills and clay-limestone slopes. The plateau consists of limestone, gravel and sand soils. Merlot is the dominant grape in the appellation followed by Cabernet Franc. The terroir here can be compared to St. Emilion, in fact the region is only separated from St. Emilion by a small river. Some of the best wines produced in the St. Emilion satellite appellations come from Montagne St. Emilion.

Winemaking Notes
Heloise Aubert introduces us to the clay-limestone terroir of Chateau Messile-Aubert with this wine, from a renowned 10-hectare property in AOC Montagne-Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux Right Bank). The 35-year-old vines are harvested by hand, parcel by parcel, and in the cellar the wine is aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels. Winemaking is overseen by world-class oenologist Michel Rolland. The final wine shows structure, spice and smooth tannins coming together just right in an elegant style.

Imported by Serge Dore Selections

CHATEAU MESSILE-AUBERT Montagne Saint-Emilion 'Reserve' 2012
Points: 92
Report Date: January, 2015
Producer: Chateau Missile-Aubert
Vintage: 2012
Drinking Window: 2016-2021
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Montagne Saint-Emilion
Importer: Serge Dore Selections
The 2012 Chateau Messile-Aubert is an outstanding effort made by Heloise Aubert and overseen by renowned oenologist, Michel Rolland. This blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with lovely perfumed aromas of ripe blackberries and sweet dark currants are woven together with spices and a lightly toasted character. On the palate this possesses a gorgeous lush, velvety texture with wonderful balance and depth. The finish is long, plush and nicely layered with dark fruits and spices. (Best 2016-2021) - January, 2016 (JD)