Merlot, Cabernet Franc
75cl * 14.5% ABV * Bordeaux, France
Maison Sichel is a grower, winemaker and négociant éleveur - to save you reaching for your French dictionary, that last one means 'a purchaser of wine for bottling under its own name'. And in this case the declassified wine comes from St Émilion.
So, what is 'declassified wine' you ask? Well, it comes from some of the most famous châteaux in the appellation. Winemakers will create the blend that will go on to be sold under the château's own label (and priced accordingly) but there will be some barrels of juice that are just not needed in the blend, or in bumper years, too much juice is made and the château decides to keep its exclusivity and release only as much as the market dictates.
So, Grand Cru fruit for under £35 a bottle - an unbelievable steal at a fraction of the price of a château label! This wine can be drunk now, but it will also cellar well and reward you in a good few years time.