Côtes de Duras Rouge, “À l’abri du Monde”

Corine’s “À l’abri du Monde” Rouge is roughly two-thirds Merlot, with the balance comprising Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, plus a tiny splash of Malbec. Vinified and aged in steel with no added sulfur at any point, including at bottling, it offers black, plummy fruit of vividness and clarity on a dry yet supple frame. A sense of balance suffuses the wine, whose elements are interwoven deftly, and it finishes with a gentle swell of tannins but remains firmly on the side of friendly drinkability.