Happy Cellar Saturday! It's that magical first Saturday of a new month, when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making. Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I believe I bought from Wines Till Sold Out almost three years ago and it's been sitting in my cellar ever since. The 2015 Château Les Giraudels de Milon Saint-Emilion is a blend of Merlot (75%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%) and Cabernet Franc (12%), so let's see how this wine is shaping up!
The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity and just a hint of amber along the edges. The nose presents classic Bordeaux aromas of cherry, currant and rose petals with just the right amount of underlying funk beneath the surface. The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry, toasted oak, dusty limestone and forest floor that all dance together to create the classic Bordeaux funk we love. The tannins are still a bit sharp, but well suited to the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic Saint-Emilion, but may have a bit too much funk for comfort. This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from herb crusted rack of lamb to braised beef short ribs, wild mushroom risotto to grilled pork tenderloin. Tonight, I am taking a bit of a different path and enjoying this wine with a crispy skin black pearl salmon, pearled couscous and steamed asparagus. Cheers!
