Château Saint-Martin, Listrac, Bordeaux, France, 2012

Listrac-Medoc is often overlooked. From vines grown on gravel and clay-limestone soils, this is a fine, mature example with a Merlot-dominated (70%) blend. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the rest, imparting extra density and fine tannins to the fleshy, ripe Merlot fruit. Aged for 12 months in oak, this is bottled unfined. Subtle oak rounds off a very attractive Médoc wine.