HUBERT DE BOUARD Silver Bell 2012

Hubert de Bouard Silver Bell 2012 from Herbert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus comes this incredible value in a St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe. An ode to the famous bell adorning Angelus bottles, this is a Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet blend that really over delivers. Rich and plummy with chewy tannins and a superlative finish, this is a knockout plain Grand Cru and a great intorduction to the wines of Herbert de Bouard.

Saint Emilion could be the oldest active wine producing appellation in the Bordeaux region with a history that dates back to the times of the ancient Romans. Numerous Roman ruins are scattered all over the St. Emilion appellation.

While St. Emilion claims credit for the being the home of the famous Roman poet and wine lover, Decimus Magnus Ausonius, (who served as the inspiration for the name of the now famous, Chateau Ausone) the area takes its name from a Benedictine Monk who was known as Emilian.

Emilian lived in the area and is responsible for starting to create the uniquely designed, limestone church that is central the village of St. Emilion. Today, the village of St. Emilion is a protected, Unesco, world heritage site. St. Emilion also lays claim to having the oldest, wine society in France.

The Jurade of St Emilion was formed in 1199! St. Emilion was the first region in Bordeaux to export their wines.

Due to the ease of shipping taking place in the 14th century, with only a few vines scattered in the Medoc, St. Emilion wine was already being shipped to England at the request of King Edward.

This date coincides with the founding of the commercial city of Libourne by the British. The city of Libourne has another connection with England, it was named Sir Roger de Leybourne from England.