Xavier Milhade Wines
Château Boutisse 2018
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Purchased in 1996, the Milhade family have invested enormously in the vineyards and facilities at Boutisse and, above all, with their energy. Today Boutisse is no longer a surprise – dynamic young winemaker Marc Milhade has transformed this estate into an outstanding Saint-Emilion, with ripe, structured and engaging character.
Huge investments have been made into the vineyards since 1996, with several parcels of vines being completely replanted. When the soil was ripped and prepared for planting, large chunks of the recherché limestone were visible under the chalky clay topsoil. The vineyards enjoy an excellent southern exposure.
Vineyard
Relatively large for Saint-Emilion at 57 acres, Boutisse is planted largely with Merlot (88%) and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Cabernet Franc (1%) and Carmenere (1%). The estate is just at the eastern end of the fine limestone bedrock that underlies the very finest vineyards of Saint-Emilion, overlaid with clay-loam soils. The finesse and aromatic complexity from the limestone soils balance the energy and power brought by the clay soils.
Winemaking
Everything at the estate is orientated towards quality. After sorting, the grapes are gravity fed to small, temperature controlled stainless steel vats that are squat, in order to optimize cap to juice ratio and improve extraction. Underground concrete tanks allow run off by gravity. A part of the harvest is also fermented directly in 500 liter barrels. Natural yeasts trigger a prolonged fermentation, followed by a three week maceration for extraction of color, fruit and tannin. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new oak barrels in the adjacent cellars, 70% new. Fining is done with egg whites and racking is done every 3 month until bottling after 15-18 months.
Vintage
2018 presented serious challenges for the vintner, with strong disease-pressure (mildew) in the Spring followed by drought conditions the rest of the year. Fortunately, the water-retentive limestone soils at Boutisse helped the vines tolerate the drought, and harvest took place under ideal conditions in September. The yields were low and the grapes were concentrated with thick skins, so extraction needed to be carefully judged. The 2018 Boutisse is dense and full-bodied – a Saint-Émilion built for the cellar.
Tasting Note
Deep garnet, with a nose rich in spices including cinnamon, cloves, star anise and nutmeg that open up to more aromas of mocha, grilled bread and caramel. On the palate the wine is full-bodied but velvety, with elegant tannins and a long finish.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot
Appellation
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$40
Reviews
"A gem of a Saint-Emilion that will deliver the goods"
Jeb Dunnuck - February 9, 2021 "Coming from the upper limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion and largely Merlot, the 2018 Château Boutisse reveals a deep ruby/plum hue as well as a rich, full-bodied, decadent style that's already a joy to drink. Mulled black cherries, licorice, chocolate, graphite, and chocolaty minerality all define the nose, and it has building yet ripe tannins, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a lengthy finish. It's every bit as good as the 2016, if not better. Readers looking for a gem of a Saint-Emilion that will deliver the goods over the coming 10-15 years won't regret buying this."
"Such beauty"
James Suckling - March 15, 2021 "Aromas of currants, blackberries, black cherries and fresh flowers follow through to a full body with super integrated, polished tannins and an intense mineral and salty character at the end. Such beauty. Drink after 2024."
"Racy, finessed"
Vinous - April 2, 2021 "The 2018 Boutisse is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur. Racy red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, mocha and blood orange lend brightness and energy. Medium in body and pliant, with refined tannins, the 2018 hits all the right notes. This is such a racy, finessed Saint-Émilion. It will drink well with minimal cellaring."
"Rich and oh-so-plush"
Wine Advocate - April 26, 2021 "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Boutisse comes out of the glass with exuberant notes of baked black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries, plus suggestions of rose hip tea, fragrant soil, cinnamon stick and star anise. The full-bodied palate is rich and oh-so-plush, featuring a fantastic backbone of freshness and loads of spicy sparks to complement the black and red berry preserves, finishing long and mineral tinged. Beautiful." - L.B.
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Château des Ormeaux
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Nestled under the stewardship of Julien Richard, a dedicated third-generation winemaker and the husband of Elodie Milhade (also the proprietor of Château Tour Bayard), this estate flourishes with a commitment to sustainability.
Château Recougne
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Chateau Recougne has produced wine for more than 400 years,and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. This wine offers pure Bordeaux unadulterated and pure.
Château Recougne Blanc
The Milhade family has been landowners in Bordeaux for three generations and currently own six properties in the right bank regions of Saint-Émilion, Lussac- Saint-Émilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Bordeaux Supérieur. Their wines represent both amazing value in Bordeaux and the beautiful results that can be achieved by small family estates focused on producing high quality wines. The wines are marked by wonderful, expressive fruit and retain an authenticity and soulfulness.
Château Montcabrier
Château Montcabrier is a selection parcèllaire from the Milhade family’s estate, Château Recougne. This property has produced wine for more than 400 years, and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. The Milhade family purchased the property in the early 1950s, and Recougne has become their flagship estate, producing quintessential pure Bordeaux each vintage – classic “claret” in the best sense of the word. Montcabrier is a produced in the same manner as Recougne, but from younger vines and parcels giving more forward, fruity wines
Château Tour Bayard
Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.