Chateau Vilatte's 'En Fut' is the ultimate Bordeaux value. It honestly drinks as well as or better than many Saint-Emilion Grand Crus that would cost well over $50, but this comes to you at less than $30!
That should come as no surprise, as this family-run estate is situated in Puynormand, on Bordeaux's Right Bank, just a few miles northeast of Saint-Emilion. Vilatte's 'En Fut' is a barrel-aged blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon that is rich, ripe, and perfectly aged.
I honestly don't know what more you could ask for in an estate-grown, certified organic, and pre-aged Bordeaux that comes to you at less than $30! Seriously folks, this is that elusive bottle of red wine that drinks WAY ABOVE its humble price point.
The Massart family has passionately and skillfully run Chateau Vilatte since 1973. The estate is certified organic, their vines are old, their yields are low, and they are one of the rare producers of Bordeaux that "pre-age" their wines prior to release. So yes, 2019 is the current release on this wine, and it is in prime drinking condition!
The 'En Fut' designation denotes that this wine sees time in oak casks, as fut de chene is the French term for an oak barrel. This blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon is made from Vilatte's oldest and best vines. It was aged for 18 months in French barriques (small barrels, 25% new) followed by an additional 2 years of aging in the bottle.
The 7 years of age this wine has under its belt have allowed the oak to mesh beautifully with the ripe and rich fruit that the wonderful 2019 vintage provided. This pours a deep, nearly opaque color, and it offers up Saint-Emilion like aromas and flavors of dark plum, cassis, cedar, spice box, and cocoa nib on full-bodied and opulent palate.
Drinking beautifully now, this will continue to thrill palates through at least 2030. If ever there were a wine "built" for grilled meats, this is it, but the soft tannins make this great for sipping casually without food too.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
