Mon Dieu! Cheap Bordeaux!

 

 When you think about Bordeaux, what comes to mind? The British fop sipping "claret" in his drawing room? The Wall Streeter buying futures for his insta-cellar? We've been conditioned to believe that Bordeaux must be expensive to be good, which isn't surprising given how much power is concentrated in the hands of a few in the fabled region. All anyone talks about are the "classed growths"--that is, the top-ranked (and priciest) wines, which were set by brokers back in the 19th century.

Today we favor the weathered paysan who plows his vineyard with a draft horse, not the chateau owned by an insurance company.

The region of Bordeaux is huge, producing more high-quality wine than any other in France, and that kind of scale should work to our advantage. We started exploring the fringes (Bordeaux has 57 appellations) and kept finding world-class reds at numbers that we all can handle.

Been-there, done-that grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot--yes Merlot, are new again. The Cabernets have sharp angles and smoky notes, the Merlots are silken and aromatic, and both are often pointed up with a dash of peppery Cabernet Franc. By seeking out the "lesser" appellations, We findin wines that, unlike many classed growths, aren't as tailored for the critics. Less oaky, less alcoholic Cabernet can be a revelation, and these days you're more likely to find it in outer-borough appellations than in blue-chip areas.

Chateau Bellvue Bordeaux Superieur 

      

The appellation Bordeaux Superieur applies to wines from the Bordeaux district containing 1% more alcohol than the requirement for the appellation of Bordeaux. What this means is the wine will be slightly more full-bodied as a result of the increased alcohol level.   

The blend is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

The 18 months of oak aging softens this wine and makes it a candidate for immediate consumption.  The wine is soft and round with pleasant notes of cassis and red fruits on the nose and palate.   

This is an easy drinking Bordeaux.This wine will pair well with stews and most red meat dishes, particularly a nice grilled ribeye steak.

  

On the nose, the wine is rich with buttered cherries, red flowers, and a hint of something fresh and earthy in the background - like tomato leaves in a summer garden. It's a very appealing combination. Surprisingly, the wine is not a fruit blockbuster on the palate. It's actually quite elegant, with tart cherry and savory herb playing with already-smooth tannin. Not a Bordeaux you need to age for 25 years, this one's ready now.

On a side note, the term Bordeaux Supérieur does not necessarily mean the wine is better than a plain old Bordeaux. It actually just means it has higher alcohol content. Just a little party fact for you.  

 MARGAUX - Chateau De La Coste

 

 Producing 2,500 cases a year, the Château de la Coste vineyard spreads in the northern part of the Margaux appellation.  

Margaux boasts 21 château with classified growth status and is known to produce elegant, delicate, and fragrant wines.  

This excellence is a result of the soil quality, the unique weather conditions, and natural drainage which exists in the vineyards. Many say Margaux is the most feminine appellation in all of Bordeaux.   

   

This wine is a harmonious blend of flavors and is best matched with roasted red meats such as duck, peppered beef, and lamb shank. The velvety flavors of the wine shine through when served with asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and mushroom risotto dishes. Enjoy the wine with variety of cheeses such as Montrachet and aged Monterey Jack. 

Chateau Bellevue, Entre-Deux-Mers 

 

Château Bellevue is located on 84 hectares of vineyard and produces a range of Bordeaux whites and reds. The château is located on a large hill, overlooking the vineyards, and is locally nicknamed the "Tuscany of Bordeaux". Winemaker, Daniel Sore, utilizes the art of modern wine-making to produce Bordeaux wines that are characteristic of the local terroir.

The name Entre-Deux-Mers translates as 'Between Two Seas'. The seas in question are the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, which form the area's southern and northern boundaries respectively.  

Entre-Deux-Mers occupies a substantial slice of the Bordeaux region, stretching from the edge of Bordeaux city in the west, to the farmland outside Bergerac in the east. The landscape is mostly fertile and green, rolling gently between 33 and 330ft (10-100m) above sea level.  

However, vineyards have replaced some of the green landscape, with large patches of land being rapidly devoted to viticulture. The soils of Entre-Deux-Mers are predominantly of alluvial type (sand and clay in varying proportions) - which is to be expected, given its name and location.

Please join us and try these wines on for size. 

Wine & cheese tasting every Friday from 5-8 PM No Charge.