Wine Tasting Hints:

1. Look at the color
2. Smell the aroma (the nose)
3. Taste (look for flavors, degree of tannins, acidity and body)
4. The Finish (what's the aftertaste like)

Tasting Notes  -  Chateau Haut-Pontet, St. Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux has many sub-regions. Saint Emilion is one of the more affordable ones - lucky for us. It's a bit of a best-kept-secret among French wines. Be sure to open the bottle a long time in advance of pouring and preferably decant it (one hour or more). The sweetheart loves air.

This 1998 should be in the cellar for several years yet, but let's open one up and see what she's got this early in life. Notice the deep color. It has a dusty, fruity / plum jam aroma. Mmmm, nice and soft, fruity, dry, balanced and -- soil!  Yes, there's a distinct hint of soil (terroir) in there. Not a complex wine, Haut-Pontet reveals a simple yet endearing structure. Notice the spice as well. The firm tannins will soften with age. Medium to full bodied, this wine displays concentration with style!

This St. Emilion Bordeaux is composed of mostly Merlot with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc.  Harvesting is by hand, with hand sorting of grapes (an almost lost practice). Not so much a sipping wine, rather to be consumed with food. Try it with roast meats, especially Lamb, Beef or Pork.