Chateau Tauzinat l'Hermitage St Emilion

Chateau Tauzinat l'Hermitage St Emilion is a Merlot-dominant Right Bank Bordeaux from Saint-Emilion, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The estate has earned notable critical recognition, including a 92-point score from James Suckling, a 91-point rating from The Wine Doctor, and Gold medals at both the Challenge International du Vin (2010 vintage) and the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (2006 vintage).

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France  |  Blend: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc  |  Producer: Bernard Moueix

Production & Heritage

Tauzinat l'Hermitage is owned and managed by the Moueix family — one of Bordeaux's most established winemaking dynasties, who also operate Chateau Taillefer in Pomerol. The vineyard sits on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion and takes its name from the century-old tauzin oak trees lining the property, once harvested for winemaking barrels. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled vats, producing a wine that reflects both the structured minerality of its terroir and the ripe generosity of its Merlot-heavy blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackcurrant and cherry, unfolding into layers of violets and white pepper. Deeper inhalation reveals cedar brush, smoke, and a subtle herbal thread of thyme.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-forward, with blackberry and dark cherry dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, fine-grained tannins emerge alongside integrated oak, licorice, and a chocolate-edged richness. The structure is full-bodied yet balanced, never heavy-handed.

Finish: The finish is long and composed, with lingering notes of tobacco, tar, and spice that gradually fade into a dry, mineral undertone. Tannins remain polished and well-resolved through the close.

How to Drink Tauzinat l'Hermitage

This Saint-Emilion drinks best at cellar temperature (16–18°C), ideally decanted 30 to 60 minutes before serving to allow its layered aromatics to fully open. A generous Bordeaux glass will concentrate the perfumed nose. Younger vintages benefit from a longer decant; more mature bottles can be poured after a shorter rest.

Best For

• Introducing a Bordeaux enthusiast to lesser-known Saint-Emilion estates
• Anchoring a dinner party with a food-friendly Right Bank red
• Building a cellar with ageworthy Merlot-based blends at accessible entry points
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates terroir-driven French reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tauzinat l'Hermitage taste like? Tauzinat l'Hermitage delivers rich blackcurrant, dark cherry, and blackberry fruit layered with cedar, licorice, chocolate, and fine-grained tannins. The profile is full-bodied with a long, spice-driven finish shaped by the estate's clay-limestone soils.

How does Tauzinat l'Hermitage compare to Chateau Taillefer? Both wines come from the Moueix family, but Taillefer is produced in Pomerol — a smaller appellation known for softer, rounder Merlot profiles — while Tauzinat l'Hermitage hails from Saint-Emilion's clay-limestone plateau, typically yielding wines with more tannic structure and mineral backbone. Tauzinat l'Hermitage also incorporates 15% Cabernet Franc, adding aromatic lift and spice that distinguish it from Taillefer's plusher style.

Is Tauzinat l'Hermitage good for aging? Yes — the wine's fine-grained tannin structure, balanced acidity, and full body suggest it can develop favorably over 8 to 15 years in proper cellar conditions, depending on vintage. Younger vintages reward patience with decanting if opened early.

Where is Tauzinat l'Hermitage made? Tauzinat l'Hermitage is produced on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion in Bordeaux's Right Bank, France. The estate is managed by Bernard Moueix of the renowned Moueix winemaking family.

What foods pair well with Tauzinat l'Hermitage? Slow-braised lamb shoulder complements the wine's tobacco and spice notes. Grilled ribeye steak mirrors its full body and dark fruit weight. Duck confit pairs naturally with the Merlot richness. Aged Comté or Gruyère echoes its nutty, mineral undertones. A mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, cedar-brushed layers in the mid-palate.

What sizes does Tauzinat l'Hermitage come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, consistent with Bordeaux convention.

Is Tauzinat l'Hermitage worth the price? Tauzinat l'Hermitage positions as an accessible entry into classified Saint-Emilion territory, offering the pedigree of the Moueix family and genuine terroir expression at a tier well below the appellation's most famous names. For drinkers seeking structured, age-worthy Right Bank Bordeaux without premier cru pricing, it represents strong value.

Why Tauzinat l'Hermitage?

This is a Saint-Emilion that earns attention through substance rather than hype. The Moueix family's deep Bordeaux roots and hands-on viticulture — hand-harvesting from clay-limestone soils planted to a classic 85/15 Merlot–Cabernet Franc split — result in a wine of genuine site-specificity. Scores of 92 points from James Suckling and 91 from The Wine Doctor, alongside multiple international Gold medals, confirm that the quality here extends well beyond the estate's under-the-radar reputation. For anyone building a Bordeaux cellar or seeking a serious dinner wine, Tauzinat l'Hermitage delivers the depth and structure that define the best of Saint-Emilion's plateau.