Château Thénac - Rouge 2014

Château Thénac - Rouge 2014 (90 TSW)

Chateau Thenac has a long history in the Cotes de Bergerac appellation. In fact, the estate was created on the ruins of an ancient, dilapidated, Benedictine Priory built by monks at the start of the 12th century.

The estate takes its name from the local commune where its situated in, Thenac. However, the modern era for Chateau Thenac begins when the property was purchased by Eugene Shvidler in 2001. Chateau Thenac is located just east of Bordeaux in the Bergerac area of Southwest France. If you’re a fan of truffles, you’re in luck as Chateau Thenac is placed in the center of the Perigord region, which is famous for French, black truffles.

The 200 hectare estate of Chateau Thenac has 45 hectares under vine. For the red wine, 33 hectares of the vineyards are planted to 65% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec. 12 hectares of vines are reserved for the white wine grape varietals.

Back to the wine:

Wonderful blend of 68% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc.

To produce the red wine of Chateau Thenac, vinification takes place in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank. The wine is aged in 60% new, French oak barrels for 12 months. The average annual production is close to 3,800 cases of wine per year.

First I decanted the wine for an hour.

In the glass a deep garnet red color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of cranberries, wild strawberries, blackberries and cloves with hints of coffee, cedar, chocolate and menthol.On the palate dry, medium(++) bodied with medium acidity and medium(+) ripe tannins. Flavours of plums, dark cherries, sweet cedar, vanilla and cinnamon. The finish ends with coffee and cacao with a medium(+) length.

This wine, whilst having the ability to age, can also be enjoyed now with red meat, game and cheeses.