NV | Olivier Cazenave Echappe Bel Ros | Bordeaux

The Echappe Bel Ros is a truly unique ros, arguably the only one of its kind. Olivier sources Merlot from a trusted farmer who has a plotof Grand Cru vines in St. Emilion specifically for this ros. The grapes are hand-harvested before the sugars become too high and brought tothe cellar for a natural start to fermentation in stainless steel. After only one day, the grapes are pressed, giving the wine a gorgeous kiss ofcolor, and then moved into 6-year-old Allier 600-liter barrels to continue fermenting. The wood imparts interesting aromas and tannins to thefinished wine, which completes its fermentation after approximately 15 days. The wine is never vintage dated, which is brilliant because goodros should be enjoyed for a couple of years and not just immediately after harvest. Although it is always single vintage, there is no obsessingover its “correct” vintage. The aromatics are very pretty, full of soft berries, red plums, a hint of wood, and cherry cordial. Small strawberriesexplode in the mouth, and the balanced acidity adds to the texture of the wine with a long and delicious finish.