The renaissance of Villemaurine owes much to its new owner, Justin Onclin, who also owns Branas Grand Poujeaux in Moulis. The château, on the edges of Saint-Emilion, now benefits from the expert advice of Hubert de Boüard's teams. Significant investments have been made, not least in the winery, enabling the teams to use gravity-based vinification processes. The domaine is now fully able to assume the role of a superb outsider with its excellent, hedonistic, flavoursome Saint-Émilion.

Villemaurine is a rounded, suave, indulgent Saint-Émilion that's Merlot through and through (up to 95% in blends, depending on the precise year). Its bouquet evokes licorice, blackberry and violet. There is a superb fruitiness in the mouth. One of the appellation's new outsiders.