The Kopp family took the reins of the estate in the 1950s and have since consolidated surrounding vineyard plots. They farm according to ‘Haute Valeur Environnementale’ (HVE) principles. Simply put, all fertiliser used on the farm is produced with manure from their own animals as well as other organic material from the estate, and no herbicides or pesticides are employed in the vineyards.
Delicious Du Retout: Sheer drinking pleasure
Delicious Du Retout
Sheer drinking pleasure
Our recent tastings of value Bordeaux not only emphasised the sheer pleasure to be found in Du Retout, but also revealed how accessible this Cru Bourgeois is in 2020. Round tannins frame a juicy palate abounding with crunchy fruit, and a bone-dry finish leaves you refreshed and thirsty for more. This is a classic claret, coming in at just 13% alcohol!
Undoubtedly Left Bank in nature, the 2020 is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. There’s no reason to sit on this, but a further five years of cellaring will allow the tannins to ameliorate and the secondary aromatics to come to the fore. At under R2 200 per case, this is fantastic value for uber-delicious Bordeaux.
We also have a handful of magnums from 2019. They’re priced to go at R775 each and are ideal for birthdays or the festive table. ‘Hard to argue with,’ says Jane Anson, the 2019 is already difficult to resist but will gain in complexity with further maturation.