Viniou Reviews
Château Rochebert 2018 is a classic red Bordeaux Supérieur, made primarily from Merlot, with smaller proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc typical for the appellation. This vintage benefited from the favourable conditions of 2018 – a year marked by a warm, dry summer which allowed for optimal grape ripening, resulting in wines with both supple fruit and balanced structure. The vines grow on clay-limestone soils, lending the wine both freshness and minerality, while traditional vinification includes careful extraction and moderate ageing in oak, preserving fruit intensity alongside polished tannins.
The Bordeaux region, renowned as the world’s most celebrated fine wine area, lies along the Gironde estuary and its tributaries. Here, the temperate maritime climate, buffered by proximity to the Atlantic, provides warm summers and mild winters, crucial for even ripening and consistency across vintages. The Bordeaux Supérieur AOC sits just above basic Bordeaux in quality hierarchy, requiring lower yields and slightly stricter regulations, which often result in richer, longer-lived wines compared to the baseline appellation. This particular subregion’s diversity of soils – from gravel to limestone – enables nuanced expressions, while the area’s centuries-old viticultural tradition underpins its winemaking expertise.
In terms of food pairings, Château Rochebert 2018’s generous dark fruit, refined tannins, and subtle oak lend it versatility at the table. It beautifully complements classic French dishes such as duck breast with a cherry sauce, roast beef, or confit de canard. It will also pair nicely with regional fare like entrecôte à la bordelaise or earthy mushroom dishes. Hard cheeses, such as aged Comté or Cantal, offer a harmonious match, while for a more rustic touch, a charcuterie board with saucisson sec and pâté also works splendidly.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this Bordeaux Supérieur at 16-18°C. Decanting for half an hour before serving will soften the tannins and allow the wine’s subtle complexity to emerge, revealing notes of ripe plum, blackberry, gentle spice, and a touch of cedar. The wine is drinking well now but may also be cellared for several more years to develop further tertiary notes.
