Maison Blanche - Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2019

Louis Rapin, a wine merchant in the right bank, bought the “Chateau Maison Blanche” and the “La Marsale” in 1938. His daughter Françoise inherited the 40 hectare of Maison Blanche (with 26 hectare of vines), 2 hectare in St Emilion and the La Rose Figeac estate in Pomerol. Her husband Gerard Despagne then began to pursue his stepfather’s work. Their children Nathalie & Nicolas joined the family business in 1994 & 1995. Since 2013, Nicolas has been the only one to run Château Maison Blanche as Nathalie decided to focus on Château La Rose Figeac in Pomerol.

The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Maison Blanche is a little youthfully shy to begin, opening out to subtle kirsch, blackberries and cassis notes with wafts of wild sage, underbrush and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with juicy red and black berry flavors, with a grainy frame and refreshing finish. 90 points, Lisa Perrott-Brown, WA.

45% Merlot, 55% Cabernet Franc