Château Sainte-Marie, Côtes de Bordeaux Alios

2016 74% Merlot, 21% Cabernet, 5% Petit Verdot Swathes of dark tannins and a dense texture introduce a wine that needs to age. The black fruits, rich structure and concentration are part of this firm wine made under the direction of cellarmaster Géraldine Lussiez. With layers of rich wood from 12 months in 400-liter barrels and black-currant flavors, it is still developing. The Alios Rouge takes its name from a complex mix of soils containing sand silex and iron. The wine hails from one of only 14 "sanctuary terroirs" in the Entre Deux Mers, an honor bestowed upon land designated exlusively as vineyard land, meaning it can never be employed for other purposes. Organic