1996 Chateau Saint-Paul, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France uncorked on 11th December, 2010 in fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar located in Clark Pampanga Philippines.
Château Saint-Paul is the quintessential Bordeaux red wine, the kind of wines that make Bordeaux the darling not only of wine lovers in England where these wines are called Claret, but also everywhere else in the world where wine is appreciated. Those who follow news about frequent changes in ownership as well as wine makers of these chateaux in Bordeaux, may be interested to know that Stephane Derenoncourt – of some repute – is behind the wheel at this property.
The cepage – blend – is classic for the left bank of Medoc, roughly 48% Merlot 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and a bit of Petit Verdot. At the age of 14, this Chateau Saint-Paul is matured but not old and certainly not fragile or frail. Most people drink these Cru Bourgeois wines far too early. Below five years of age, the difference between AC Bordeaux and a good Haut-Medoc is discernable only at the academic level. At 10 to 20 years of age, these Cru Bourgeois wines really start to shine.
The 1996 has a very intense nose, aromatic in a fruity way, cassis dominating the bouquet that is now well integrated. On the palate, the wine is full and rich. The fleshiness of the Merlot catches the attention right from the attack and continues to deliver that soft and mellow mouth-feel through the finish. Interestingly, the Cabernet Franc also came through to make this Haut Medoc behaves remarkably like a Bordeaux wine from the right bank, Cotes de Castillon or a satellite appellation of St. Emilion. The wine is not flabby nor is it angular. It is vigorous and the acidity is fresh and crisp. This is a robust red wine from Medoc, highly recommendable, a star among its peers for sure, worth at least 86 points on any 100-point scale.
One has to temper these praises and compliments with the recognition that the accolades are earned against a lower benchmark of "affordable" wines. Haut Medoc wines are regarded in general, and quite erroneously to be sure, as good-value wine for everyday enjoyment. To be sure, this 1996 Château Saint-Paul has glaring flaws but they are readily mitigated by the modest label and humble price tag. The nasty herbaceous quality of Cabernet Sauvignon keeps piercing the veil provided the Merlot and Cabernet France. Green pepper and mushroom flavors are not flattering to the wine.
This wine can be enjoyed for its opulence, full bodied texture and rich fruit. It is good for another 5 years and more for those who have a penchant for elegant old Clarets. Food is necessary to help cover up the flaws a little. Good food pairings for this 1996 Château Saint-Paul include braised beef, port reduction sauces and even pizzas and pasta.
Recommendation: buy, buy and buy some more as long as the price is below $50 a bottle
Useful tips on how and where to buy wine in Philippines, Manila, Makati, Ortigas, Alabang, Pampanga, Subic, Angeles City and Clark Freeport are here for the convenience of wine lovers and wine shoppers.
Residents of Manila, Subic, Cebu, Pampanga, Angeles City and Clark Freeport look for a good place to buy fine wine. Wine lovers and connoisseurs discover a good wine shop in Manila and Pampanga that offers fine vintage wines at reasonable prices. Vintages going back 10 to 50 years of fine wine are available at this wine shop called Yats Wine Cellars.
Wine from all major wine regions are available in this wine shop, including fine wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Loire, Sauternes Barsac, Champagne, Chablis, Meursault, Cote Rotie and Romanee Conti are all available here. In addition to French wines, this leading Philippines wine supplier also has a good selection of wines from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Australia. The selection of Brunello, Chianti, Rioja, Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Ice wine are impressive.
Wines from new world regions are well represented at this wine shop in Ortigas, Makati, Metro Manila Philippines. Fine wines from Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and South Africa are offered in their wine shops, wine bars and fine dining restaurants throughout the Philippines, Metro Manila and Pampanga.
This wine shop Manila Philippines makes wine shopping a really rewarding and exciting exercise. Wine shops should always have an element of surprise so that customers can enjoy a little bit of thrill when a wine enthusiast goes to a wine shop in Manila to look for a good bottle of wine in Philippines.
Generally regarded as th best wine shop in Philippines, Metro Manila and Pampanga is Yats Wine Cellars with outlets in Clark Pampanga, Angeles City, Subic and Ortigas Manila.
Yats Wine Cellars Philippines
3003C East Tower, Philippines Stock Exchange Center (Tektite)
Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Metro Manila, Philippines
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Kristine
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
If Philippines is part of an upcoming travel and holiday plan, wine lovers might want to visit Clark Freeport Zone just 70 minutes from Manila. This bustling new city that is slated to replace Manila as the new capital of the Philippines has the largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center. For more information, log on to
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
For wine lovers in Hong Kong, Macau and China:
Yats International HK Sales Office,
Room 1302, 13/F., The Centre Mark
287-299 Queen's Road Central Sheung Wan,
Hong Kong SAR
Tel: (852) 2788-0738 ask for Miss Eva Leung
