ABOUT: Chateau La Chapelle resides in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, just southeast of Saint Emilion on the right bank of the Gironde Estuary. Beatrice Larribiere is the 4th generation winemaker here and she crafts amazing Merlot from 15 hectares of vines. Which rest at the foot of a hillside comprised of clay and silt, holding onto that water tight. Absolutely perfect conditions for a gang of very old Merlot vines. Beatrice is another one of our crowd who thinks respecting her button of land is the right thing to do, so she achieved organic certification in 2012. This wine is new to us and an absolute pleasure. Ripe, satisfying deep plummy flavors, round and savory. Killer price too. TASTE: Deep purple core fading to a thin magenta rim with some staining tears. Off to a good start! In the fruit section are youthful aromas of raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and plums. Fennel, mint, black pepper and campfire round out the rest. The flavors line up with the aromas nicely, though plum and licorice flavors reign supreme. Nicely rounded edges with subtle tannins and a light acidic frame. PAIR: Fried eggplant sandwich, thyme roasted tomatoes, mushroom and currant risotto, cheesy broccoli and rice casserole, cacio e pepe, and a pizza topped with fresh basil leaves.
