Château Fleur de Lisse Saint-Emilion Cuvée Minvielle 2011: Inky black-garnet color; cherry, raspberry on vivid nose;
dark cherry, blackberry, significant blackcurant tang, black olive, plum; leather, spice, and earth linger on finish; merlot roundness, full tannin; lush, full body with sharp attack, definitely a decant wine; 70% merlot, 30% cabernet franc, whisper of malbec. Although this flirts with fruitiness, it is not an easy drinker for dilettantes; with 30% cabernet franc, that is not happening. It is a right bank Bordeaux with classic characteristics and superb price. If you want to put your toe in waters flowing to the Girdonde estuary, consider this a way to begin to know Bordeaux. Château Fleur de Lisse (the Castle of the Smooth Flower) is located in the heart of one of the most prestigious wine areas in the world. Although Saint-Émilion is a few miles south and east of the haughty First Growth giants, it is in the grand cru country, domain of princes if not kings. Let this breath for a while, then taste right-bank demi-royalty. $22
Second photo: Château Fleur de Lisse
