Château Martinat 2010

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Pleasant, sappy, with rich, well-defined tannins and a fruity finish.

About the domain :

A perfectionist, Stéphane Donze has worked hard to achieve a level of production well above that of the region's usual winegrowers. After buying the estate, he and his wife Lucie spent fifteen years studying and observing the configuration of their plots as closely as possible. They have worked hard to achieve perfect ripeness and precision in their wines, always at the risk limit.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Established in 1994, Stéphane Donze and his wife have made this 25-hectare estate one of the appellation's benchmarks. A remarkable series of Favorites wines for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages are well worth remembering. A blend of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, the 2010 holds its own. Decked out in brilliant crimson, it reveals warm aromas of cooked fruit combined with a measured woodiness. A broad, generous attack preludes a palate in unison with the olfaction, with very ripe fruit aromas enveloping silky tannins. The wine's versatility means it can be enjoyed from autumn onwards, but it will benefit from ageing for two or three years. A good match with meat in sauce.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

Fruity, floral nose. Velvety, fleshy red.

About the domain :

Château Martinat's current 24-hectare vineyard is located in the commune of Lansac, in the Côtes de Bourg appellation; the terroir combines small gravelly soils with red and brown clays. Averaging around 40 years in age, the vines are predominantly Merlot (60% to 70% in the blends) and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a little Malbec. Lucie and Stéphane Donze also offer a 100% Sauvignon Blanc cuvée.

RVF - Guide des Meilleurs Vins à moins de 20 euros € - Gerbelle & Maurange

About the wine:

Stéphane Donze is not looking for power in this medium-bodied wine. Well-spiced, it retains a pleasant, flowing fruitiness without any roughness. At its best.