Château Biac, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux AOC (France) 2015

 Now is the time to enjoy this Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend from Château Biac owned by the Asseily family.  It shows alluring aromas of ripe black fruits with notes of dark chocolate and baking spices.  In the mouth the wine is smooth and lush with flavors of ripe blackberries and plums with savory notes, beautifully integrated with smooth tannins.  Enjoy it with a grilled steak or mushroom ragout.  It is from the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, which is a thin strip of land a little more than 37 miles long and 3 miles on the right bank of the Garonne River.  I’ve had the privilege of visiting this amazing property twice.  As I wrote in a column for WineReviewOnline.com in 2017, their property is a unique site with diverse soils of gravel, clay-limestone, silt and sand that lay upon a layer of chalk.  As matriarch Youmna Assiley explained, “On a very small estate, we have the soils of both the Right and Left Bank.”  In addition to the unique soils, the vineyard’s aspect and slope allow the air to flow through the vines and along with the presence of Garonne River help to moderate temperatures, providing frost protection.