“M-R”, Vin de France Rouge

“M-R” comes from a 1.5-ha parcel of sandy clay-limestone in the nearby commune of St-Christophe-des-Bardes, planted equally to Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Instead of folding it into their flagship Saint-Emilion—a viable option given the vineyard’s location within the appellation—they decided to produce something more youthfully accessible to complement their range. Thus, “M-R” undergoes a fermentation and aging in stainless steel, and is labeled simply as a Vin de France. Despite its gentler extraction and breezier personality, it still offers lifted, floral aromas, a depth of black, plummy fruit and a fresh mineral snap with finely rendered tannins that underline its origin in a great terroir.