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Millésime 2013
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Millésime 2013
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Château Charmail 2013

The 2013 Charmail vintage is a powerful yet elegant wine, showcasing a balance of strength and sophistication. It presents deep, rich aromas of dark fruits, licorice, and tobacco, which translate into a full-bodied, fleshy experience on the palate. Despite the challenges of the vintage, this wine has developed a notable depth, offering silky tannins that enhance its overall refinement. The 2013 vintage stands out for its ability to combine power with grace, making it a wine that is both commanding and approachable.

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Tasting notes
Powerful yet Elegant
  • Appearance: Deep ruby with slight brick hues, showing a subtle evolution.
  • Nose: Bold aromas of ripe dark fruits—blackcurrant, blackberries—accompanied by notes of licorice and tobacco. Hints of cedar and spice round out the complex and seductive bouquet.
  • Palate: Structured and full-bodied, with a powerful yet elegant attack. The tannins are silky and well-integrated, adding a refined finesse to the wine. Intense dark fruit flavors mingle with touches of leather and tobacco, leading to a long, polished finish. This vintage masterfully combines strength and grace, with impressive depth despite the challenges of the year.
Key wine facts
  • Country of Origin: France
  • Region of Origin: Bordeaux, Left bank
  • Appellation: Haut-Médoc
  • Varietals: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
  • Type: Red Wine
  • Alcohol Content: 14% ABV
  • Vine Age: 28 years
  • Terroir: Clay gravels
  • Viticulture: Soil work, Manual leaf stripping, Green harvest
  • Harvest: 100% Manual, from October 1st to October 11th 2013.
  • Vinification: Cold pre-fermentation maceration (15 days at 5 degrees), extraction at a maximum of 26 degrees, stopping extraction around a density of 1030.
  • Aging: 12 months of aging in French oak barrels, with 25% new barrels and 75% barrels that were used for the previous vintage.
  • Oenologist: Antoine Medeville
  • Production: 60,000 bottles of 1st wine

Poured at
  • Critic

    Reviews

    James Suckling

    “Nicely done with berry, hazelnut and cedar character. Full body, velvety tannins. Juicy finish.”

  • Critic

    Reviews

    Robert Parker

    “An excellent effort from this Haut-Medoc estate, the 2013 Charmail represents 5,000 cases of a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. Only 40% of the crop made it into the grand vin, which is incredible given the fact that an estate such as this can rarely afford to make these kind of selections. A potential sleeper of the vintage, it reveals a deep ruby/purple color, lots of black currant and blackberry fruit, hints of charcoal and earth, a nice texture, and more depth and length than some of the famous classified growths. This vineyard was harvested between October 1-10, and there are no signs of rot, astringent tannin or excessive acidity. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.”

  • Critic

    Reviews

    Wine Enthusiast

    “Smoky wood aromas are repeated on the palate. Although prominent, they do not suppress the juicy blackberry flavors and crisp acidity. Already balanced, the wine is likely to mature quickly. Drink from 2017.”

From Vine to Wine

Viticulture
Chateau Charmail Viticulture

2013 was a challenge from start to finish. A rainy spring gave way to an unseasonably cool summer, followed by fierce storms that threatened to disrupt the vineyard’s balance. Fortunately, Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne’s gravel and clay-limestone soils helped mitigate waterlogging, allowing the vines to stay resilient despite the erratic weather. Though Merlot suffered from coulure and uneven ripening, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot thrived under the late summer sun. The cooler conditions resulted in a lighter vintage, with fresh acidity and delicate tannins.

Harvest
Chateau Charmail Harvest

Harvest in 2013 was not without its drama. Starting on October 1st, the team raced against impending storms. Sorting in the vineyard became essential as each grape was carefully selected for quality. Cabernet Sauvignon ripened later than expected, while Petit Verdot, benefiting from the late sunshine, reached its optimal condition. The team worked quickly, often picking between rain showers, and focusing on capturing the best expression of each variety.

Vinification
Chateau Charmail Vinification

In 2013, precision and patience were key during vinification. Cold maceration for 15 days allowed for delicate extraction of aromas and color. Fermentation temperatures were carefully monitored to avoid overpowering the wine’s natural elegance. Extraction was stopped early, keeping the tannins smooth and allowing the wine to retain a lightness that reflects the cool conditions of the vintage.

Aging
Chateau Charmail Agin

For the 2013 vintage, Charmail aged in 225L barrels, with 25% of them being new. This vintage leaned on its time in oak for structure and texture, yet the winemaking team was careful not to overwhelm the wine’s delicate profile. The goal was to let the lightness of the vintage shine through, with soft notes of vanilla, cedar, and a hint of smoke elevating the naturally elegant fruit.

Millésime
2013
Pairs well with
Smoked Brisket with BBQ Sauce
Roasted Duck with Fig Sauce
Grilled Lamb Chops with Rosemary and Garlic
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Balsamic Glaze
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