2018 Château Jalousie Beaulieu, France, Bordeaux, Supérieur, Wine Review

This is an inexpensive 100% Merlot. In good vintages, these are great places to look for values and nice wines that are accessible. And this one, hits all the marks. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has raspberries, plums and slight spice. Medium bodied. On the palate, the raspberries continue along with some black cherries. Moderate finish. This is a tasty, fruit forward style of Merlot. It improves with a bit of air. Drinks fine on its own but will work better with some food. Roasted veggies or fowl would be a nice match. Drink over the next three to five years.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$10.00USD

Cheval Blanc: The “First Growth” of the Right Bank

When the wines of Bordeaux were classified in 1855 all of the wines were from the Left Bank of the Gironde River. In fact, with the exception of Haut Brion, which is from Graves, all of the wines classified were from the Medoc. Since that time, the winemaking areas of Bordeaux have greatly expanded. Some of the best wines in Bordeaux are now made on the Right Bank including some of the most expensive wines in the entire world. While there is no official classification system for all of Bordeaux, there can be no doubt that if such a system was implemented today, at least a few Right Bank wineries would make the list. Perhaps no winery deserves the mythical first growth of the Right Bank title more than Cheval Blanc. In fact, the wines of Saint Émilion, a commune on the Right Bank, were ranked in 1955 and Cheval Blanc was one of two that received the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé (A). Those rankings were redone in 1969, 1986, and 1996 and most recently in 2006 (although that ranking is the subject of an ongoing legal dispute not relevant to Cheval Blanc) and Cheval Blanc has remained a First Growth in every subsequent ranking.

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2018 Château Mouton Rothschild, France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$695.00USD

Tasted blind, I guessed Napa Merlot (Screaming Eagle The Flight). It was so open and accessible, it was quite surprising to find out it was a five year old First Growth. Gorgeous wine. It is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is tight but with air, black cherries, chocolate, cassis, spice, and dust. Full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, black cherries, cassis, and a slight dry earthiness. Deep. Complexity that unwinds in the glass. Long finish. Delicious. It will definitely get better, but was s

2019 Château Le Grand Moulin, France, Bordeaux, Blaye, Cotes de Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$13.00USD

Another example of what great value there is in Bordeaux once one gets away from the classified growths. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, plums, spice and char. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this has some depth. Notes of cherries, black cherries and black raspberries with some spice and a bit of earthiness. Nice finish. A very pleasant wine that is better with food. This would work well with roasted fowl or meat or even root vegetables. Drink over the next

2008 Château Cos d'Estournel, France, Bordeaux, St. Estèphe, Wine Review

Vintage:

2008

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$120.00USD

Cos d'Estournel is one of the great wines of Bordeaux and so, one of the great wines of the world. 2008 is a vintage that doesn't always get the respect that it deserve coming right before the pair of great vintages 2009 and 2010. It is also a bit more backward than its reputation and so the wines don't always show that well at this point. They will. This one is drinking well but patience will certainly be rewarded. It needs a few more years in the cellar to get to peak. Purple in color. The nose is nice with cassis and soy sauce. Also some baking spice. On the palate, this has med

2018 Le Petit Ducru de Ducru Beaucaillou, France, Bordeaux, St. Julian, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$30.00USD

This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It used to be known as Château Lalande-Borie but the name changed starting with the 2018 vintage. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is powerful with cassis, black cherries, coffee, spice and dust.

2018 Château Jalousie Beaulieu, France, Bordeaux, Supérieur, Wine Review

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