Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon, which also includes a small percentage of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is a foil to the more opulent mainland styles. Violets, roses and blackcurrants pervade through the wine like an English country garden. The tannins are especially fine grained and there is a beautiful freshness and mineral quality on the palate. The parcels of fruit are batch vinified in stainless steel tanks before maturation in 100% new oak for between two and three years.

From an estate reputed for its ability to produce exceptional white and red wines, this red offering from 2010 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The Graves producer has the ''ace in the hole'' of noted winemaker-consultant Stephane Derenencourt who has been increasing the quality of the wines through his tenure. The wines have enjoyed a twenty year ascension in the ranks of Bordeaux lovers, noted for their more modest alcohol, medium-bodied nature and freshness of fruit character. Though set to the lighter spectrum, elegance is the calling card in 2010.

Subtle threads of violets, cherry blossom and fresh juniper berries serve as highlights to an ample tapestry of black plums, cacao nib and ironstone. Sheer textures of crushed granite and black cherry skin are laced with porcelain tannin and quenching natural acidity.

Blackcurrants, cherries, dried cranberries and Satsuma plums feature on the nose at the forefront. Bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamon, cedar and clove combine with heightened lavender notes and hints of fresh tobacco. The palate is fine with a mineral thread. It is elegant and delicately layered. Blackcurrant and cherries feature again with a subtle cassis edge. The mid palate has supple flesh with cocoa, coffee bean and cassia leading to a graphite line and powdery tannins.

Umamu create exquisite handcrafted wines. Each bottle is deliberately and meticulously created: from the delicate balance tasted within each glass, to the small touches of family handwriting and messages on our labels. Our philosophy has always been to give our wines time to develop in the bottle before release, a rarity in today’s market. Enjoying wines when they are ready to drink, rather than straight after bottling, when the wine has had time to develop and balance up in the bottle with no screaming parts.