Château Fleur de Lisse Bien-Aimée 2020
£25.45
The wine
Deep ruby. Plums and red cherries burst from the glass, married with subtle toast and spice.
Saint-Émilion is Merlot country: the grape ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and suits the clay and limestone of the right bank far better, which is why it leads almost every blend made there. Fleur de Lisse is planted predominantly to Merlot on old vines, and Bien-Aimée is the estate name for this particular cuvée. Cabernet Franc fills out the blend.
The producer
Château Fleur de Lisse
View all Château Fleur de Lisse winesChâteau Fleur de Lisse is a small Saint-Émilion Grand Cru estate on the eastern slopes of the appellation, near Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse. Its vineyards enjoy the clay-limestone soils that give the Right Bank its finest Merlot. Careful, modern winemaking has quietly raised its reputation.
Merlot rules here, as across much of Saint-Émilion, joined by a little Cabernet Franc for lift and structure. The vines are farmed with attention to detail, yields kept low to concentrate the fruit. Each parcel is picked and vinified with care.
In the cellar, ageing in French oak lends spice and polish without masking the wine's generous fruit. The style is plush and welcoming, the Right Bank at its most seductive. Balance and drinkability guide every decision.
Fleur de Lisse offers the velvety charm of Saint-Émilion at a gentle price. Approachable young yet capable of a few years in the cellar, these are wines made for pleasure and for the table.
