The red wines of Montagne Saint-Émilion, an appellation north and to the east of the town of Saint Émilion, are crafted from merlot and cabernet franc. This wine is meant to be served with food and is ideal for aging.

Cépages: Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

About the Producer: With his vineyard located outside of Saint Émilion, where the sun and the limestone clay soils give life to this high-quality, complex wine, Jean Rivière oversees the harvest, performed by hand, as well as the vinification and barrel aging of this remarkable wine. Winemaking has been a tradition for four generations in his family. This is a wine that is terrific today and will be incredible in a year or two.

Recommended Food Pairings: Red meat, lamb, and pork.

Tasting Notes:  A terrific example of the Bordeaux 2000 vintage.  This elegant, ruby red wine carries aromas of ripe red fruits and spices.  Well structured from start to finish, with sufficient tannins to maintain the roundness and balance of the wine.

Serving Note:  This wine is unfiltered and benefits from being allowed to stand upright in the bottle several hours before decanting.