Chateau Hyot 2016 Reserve, Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux

Chateau Hyot owners, the Alain Aubert family come from the winemaking tradition of Bordeaux’s Right Bank. For several decades now, Alain, his wife Bernadette, and their three daughters have fine-tuned and perfected their craft.

This Chateau Hyot Reserve wine comes from a selection of older vines, 45 years on average, located in the Côtes de Castillon on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Alain and Bernadette coax the vines to reach the full potential of the clay-gravel terroir in order for it to appear the final wine. This type of soil pushes the vines to root themselves deeply. The deep roots really implant themselves in the soil to give a full expression of the terroir, also bringing a great deep color to the wine. The farming is biodynamic.

The blend is 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Extended maceration lasted up to 3 weeks. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 20 months.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 91 points saying "Owner Alain Aubert, a sixth-generation winemaker now partnered by his daughter Amélie, produced this firmly structured, wood-aged wine. Rich tannins along with black-currant fruits and acidity will allow the wine to age. Drink from 2021."

International Wine Report scored this 92 points saying "The 2016 Château Hyot 'Reserve' is a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon which opens to aromas of dark cherries and plums, dried spices, toast, dried soil, tobacco and mineral character. On the palate this is medium to full-bodied, with polished tannins and velvety texture frames red fruit, tobacco and dried spices which leave a lasting impression."