Chateau Meric, the Medoc without paillettes but with equal substance

Bordeaux is a mythical (almost mythological) name in the oenological field, which carries with it an aura of history and prestige spanning several centuries and which represents  the aristocracy of world wine.

As confirmation of the latter assumption, the fact that almost all of the greatest wineries in the region, those that since 1855 have contributed to writing some of the most memorable enoic pages  belong (or have belonged) to members of he nobility – be they princes, barons or counts – at the point that the typical Bordeaux winery estate itself is defined through the appellation of "Chateau", castle that in several cases really exist.

Alongside this "aristocratic" Bordeaux, especially within the minor or at least generic appellations, there is an "alternative and peasant" Bordeaux, much less prominent but still noteworthy, dignified and interesting.

A world made up of small and almost always family-run wineries, light years away from the spotlight, from the grandeur of the Grand Crus Classès and from the great profits that they are able to generate, but that with commitment and pride carry on their work.

Among the latter is the one I want to talk to you about today, that is Chateau Meric, a company located in the municipality of Jau-Dignac-et-Lirac - in the northernmost Medoc area - and managed for over twenty years by Marius Chala , passionate and competent vigneron.

Production based on respect for the terroir and which since 2020 boasts the organic certification, three wines to make up the company line-up: a Cru Bourgeois (namesake of the company) very reliable and with a good price/quality ratio, a Second Vin no more pretentious obtained from younger or less performing vineyards and a third label can be considered their flagship product, “Le Plantier du Meric”, the one I had the opportunity to taste a few nights ago.

A red made in limited edition (about 5500 bottles in the tested vintage), the result of a careful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot and aged for a long time in wood before its marketing, thought of as an "important" and long-lived wine but however balanced and pleasant despite its young age.

A different interpretation of Bordeaux’s terroir, undoubtedly darker, rustic and artisanal, which probably lacks the elegance of the aromas and the velvety tannin of the best expressions of the region but which certainly shows substance and character.

 

Le Plantier du Meric Medoc AOC 2015

Personal rating: 87/100

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Aging: 24 months on french oak barrel

Price range: 20-25€

 

TASTING

👀 Intact ruby, medium intensity (slightly lower than expected), nice density, very light haze

👃Clean, intense, moderately fine and complex, as well as good variety. Coffee, plum, herbaceous spiciness, licorice, sweet notes that bring to a refinement in small wood

👄Medium-bodied, juicy, featured by nice freshness and good balance. Lively but tannin, alcohol component well managed. Discreet persistence, consistent finish on spicy and coffee notes.