Château Tronquoy-Lalande 2011 Saint-Estèphe (75cl)

A 2011 red from Saint-Estèphe, the sturdier corner of the left bank. It has had over a decade to smooth out. It is not a bottle to sip on its own; it wants food alongside. Decant an hour ahead and it will be in better shape by the second glass. Braised beef, roast pork or anything slow-cooked suits it well. Saint-Estèphe reds typically show dark blackcurrant, cedar and an earthy, mineral edge with firm tannins, with around ten to fifteen years in bottle rounding the structure off and bringing savoury, tobacco-like notes.