Wine: Chateau Haut Bertinerie Rouge Grape: Cabernet sauvignon (75 per cent), merlot (15 per cent), cabernet franc (10 per cent) Region: Cotes de Blaye, Bordeaux, France Vintage: 1994 Wines from Blaye are unfashionable and generally light, thin and insubstantial, so it was with some reluctance that I opened a bottle of red Chateau Haut Bertinerie to taste with friends.
What a surprise! The wine from the normally-ordinary 1994 vintage was quite delicious.
A good deep reddish purple, the nose promised plenty of rich ripe fruit. On the palate there is lovely ripe berry fruit flavours, soft tannins and decent length.
Daniel Bantegnies, the owner, has clearly got his act together. He uses a relatively-new method of planting vines - the 'lyre' system.
All his wines are aged in new oak barrels and every process is carried out at the chateau.
The 1995 vintage is outstanding and should not be missed when it becomes available in Hong Kong.