Château La Garde 2012/13, Pessac-Léognan

In 1990, the winemaking team at Dourthe, one of Bordeaux’s most successful producers, were transfixed by the possibility of Château la Garde’s fantastic soils. And today, after decades of hard work and investment, it’s one of Pessac-Léognan’s rising-star estates. Its claret is made from almost equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It’s deep and concentrated, with hints of ripe red fruits, liquorice and smoke. It has delicate tannins and well-integrated oak influence that are fantastic with a roast dinner.