Cap Royal Bordeaux Superieur 2018
This Bordeaux Superieur over-delivers BIG TIME!! It’s over-achieving success is due to Jean-Rene Matignon, Chief Winemaker of Super Second Growth Chateau Pichon Baron which company, AXA Millesimes, created and owns the brand. Cap Royal is named for the Cordouan lighthouse – the oldest in Europe – which stands guard at the entrance of the Gironde Estuary. The 14th Century beacon not only welcomed and greeted returning Bordeaux wine merchants but also guided them to safe passage into harbour. As for Cap Royal the wine, this 2008 Bordeaux Superieur is a multi-award winner the envy of any Olympic athlete. Two Gold medals and a Silver in internationally renowned French and UK competitions, Cap Royal 2018 is comprised of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Jean-Rene Matignon monitors the ageing in barrel to ensure the wine sings with fruit even as it possesses balancing structure. Depending on the vintage, ageing in oak is between 3 and 6 months. Ripe peppery/capsicum, blue/blackberry fruit with smoky/tobacco notes, and ripe tannins. The fruit, structure, and freshness are in wonderful harmony. Although enjoyable straight out of the bottle, a 15 minute decantation helps further open up this medium-plus-ish bodied red to even more dazzling delicious-ness. Here in Singapore, Cap Royal is exclusive to NTUC FairPrice Finest. I declare my interest that I am consultant to the group, but all credit really to their Wine Buyer Richard Chai for the exclusivity. Currently on Promotion at S$23.50 (from S$28.95) until 31 July in all NTUC Finest, NTUC Xtra, and some NTUC FairPrice supermarkets.