Haut-Medoc

For those who say that Bordeaux has  gotten crazy over priced, look no further than this wine which is a great value.  It is a blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and shimmering bright in the glass.  The nose has black cherries, some chocolate and slight cigar box.  Medium bodied.  Wispy tannins.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Black cherries, some black raspberries with some underlying char and a bit of chocolate.  Good finish but there is some heat.  This is drinking well but still could use a bit of air.  Drink over the next

We were told that this is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (which is very different from today's wines).  I am not sure that at age 42 that matters so much.  Ruby/brown in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, dried currents, dust and slight earthiness.  On the palate, light cherries and slight milk chocolate notes.  Some depth.  This wine is alive nd has some interest, but, to paraphrase the Princess Bride, "It is mostly dead".  Still this was pleasant enough and fun to drink.  

This is always one of the best values in Bordeaux.  The 2000 vintage in particular seems to be a slow developing vintage and at age 22, this is just about at peak.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cassis, tobacco, with slight earthiness.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Better with food, this is the perfect wine for Meatloaf.  

Another wine to turn to when looking for value in top vintages of Bordeaux.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis and plums and slight leather and char.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is firm tannins.  A velvety texture.  Lots of cassis fruit with underlying leather and slight char.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This needs another five to eight years to approach maturity and should drink well for ten to fifteen after that.  This will work well with grilled or roasted meats (or vegetables).  

This is one of my long time go-to wines for value in Bordeaux.  And this vintage is no exception.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with cassis and a bit of clean earthiness.  On the palate, this has a nice depth.  Light tannins.  Not a ton of complexity, but that might improve with age.  In the meantime, it has nice cassis fruit with some earthiness and good acidity.  Nice finish.  This may improve slightly, but based on prior vintages, this should continue to drink well for another fifteen to twenty years.  A nice match for chili or stew.  

Purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cassis, graphite and smoke. On the palate, this has ripe fruit.  Cassis with underlying spice and char.  The tannins are slightly drying.  Overall a nice complexity.  This wine is about as good as it will get but should be good for ten to fifteen more years.  It will go well with roasted fowl or meats.  

Great showing for this chateau that I don't believe I had ever heard of much left tried.  It is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cassis, and some spice.  On the palate, this has ripe fruit.  A nice complexity and depth. Cassis layered with earth and gravel.  Some tannins.  This probably won't improve from here but it should be good for another ten years at least.  It will work well with roasted meats or fowl and drinks well on its own.  A great value.  

Labelled as Cru Bourgeois, half of this wine's production is typically kosher although this bottle was not so marked.   A blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has plenty of barnyard with some cherries.  On the palate, this is soft, but has a nice complexity.  Plums and cherries.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  This probably won't get better but should maintain this level for another ten to twelve years.  It will go well with stews and casseroles.  

Bordeaux wines from 1982 are often still drinking great.  While one might think a wine such as this might be over the hill, that is not true.  At least for this bottle.  It still has some youthful freshness.  It is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  No real bricking or browning.  On the nose there is cassis, dust, slight cigar box and hints of cherry.  On the palate, this has lively energy.  Cassis and cherries with some underlying dried herbal notes.  Not a big wine.  Some depth and slight layering.  Nice finish.