2010SaintGlinglin2010 Saint Glinglin “Carte Verte” Cotes de Bordeaux, France.
The Richard Betts (Sommelier) and Francois Thienpont, who’s family owns some top Chateaux in Bordeaux, namely Le Pin & Vieux Chateau Certan in Pomerol, Saint Glinglin “Carte Verte” is an easy drinking Merlot based Bordeaux that offers plenty of joy and style for the buck, especially the 2010 vintage with a bit of extra stuffing, substance and ripe flavors, it’s perfect to celebrate Merlot Day. The Saint Glinglin is clean, charming and layered with nice dark berry and light violet notes leading the way with black cherry, fig paste, olive, fennel/herb, dried red currant and earthy/rustic tones. This is not your flashy sexed up Bordeaux, no sweet vanilla laced French oak was used, in fact it was fermented and aged in cement vat to allow the varietal and terroir to show in their pure forms making for a subtle and enjoyable food wine. The 2010 is very successful mainly due to the wonderful vintage, though I’m unsure if a lesser year would please as this one does, there is a certain sense that raw tannin and greeness would leave too many bitter elements in the wine in a year that was not as good, so I’d be sure to locate this 2010, and avoid 2011. With air and cuisine to compliment it, the Saint Glinglin Carte Verte gains depth and plummy texture giving a more pretty and complex array, hats off to Richard Betts for this staid Bordeaux offering, it really grows on you, and be sure to check out the Saint Glinglin Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc it is even better with mind-blowing acidity and zest, it was from the 2013 vintage and it was one of my favorites of Bett’s lineup! Drink the medium weight Saint Glinglin Bordeaux over the next 2 to 3 years, this nice little claret is where it should be, best from 2015 to 2018.
($22.50 Est.) 88-90 Points, grapelive

By admin