In this video, Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine goes bargain Bordeaux wine shopping day at Total Wine. Five Red Bordeaux wines were purchased ranging from $11 to $27 each for a combined tab of under $100. A sixth bottle was purchased to get a 10% discount off the full lot. Even though the wines were purchased at Total Wine, many can be found through other sources, including the international markets. Prices may vary.

Several factors were taken into consideration. With some, I’ve tasted them previously, so I have firsthand experience. Overall, I considered the appellation, the specific chateaux, along with the strength of the vintage. The focus is on the plentiful and outstanding 2020 vintage. It’s the third of a trio of excellent vintages from the Bordeaux.

Bordeaux produces about 600M bottles of wine each year, across nearly 60 appellations, which includes several thousand wine producing chateaux. Commonly the region is split into what is termed the Left and Right Bank. In general terms, the Left Bank is more CS based, the Right Bank more Merlot focused. About 90% of the region’s wine production is red. Collectively, across the entire region, the primary grape varieties ranked for highest to lowest Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. Malbec, PV, Carmenere combined make up a tiny percentage. More recently some additional varieties have come into to play on a limited basis due to climate change.

2020 Chateau Bois Redon Bordeaux Superieur $10.79
Made from 75% Merlot 25% CS, from the right bank. Decent depth of color, some fade at the edge of the glass, moderate aromatic intensity, black fruit, cassis, no hint of oak, medium bodied, relatively simple wine, yet with no obvious flaws. Not bad, rather meh.

2020 Chateau Loiseau Bordeaux Superieur $12.59
Made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. More depth, weight and structure than the previous wine. Medium deep color, good, bright fruit character, round, solid weight, decent length. Well made. Drink soon, over the next year or two.

2020 Chateau Lanassan Haut Medoc $18.89
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot percentage is one of the highest within Bordeaux. Very good Left Bank estate. Deep color, well extracted, full, ripe, good intensity, black and red fruit character, dried herb, smoke oak, good acidity, solid tannins, a keeper for another five years or so.

2020 Chateau de La Dauphine Fronsac $26.99
From the Right Bank, 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Very deep, dense, well extracted, nearly opaque core, big brooding, hefty wine, overt ripe fruit character, concentrated, obvious oak, a modern style of Bordeaux. Very good, solid aging potential.

2020 Chateau Dalem Fronsac $27.00
Made from predominantly Merlot, with a lesser amount of Cabernet Franc. Outstanding from start to finish, good color extraction, classic aromas, cassis, dark plum, cedar, oak, slight dried herb note, excellent integration of oak, long finish, extremely well made. Can easily cellar well for another five years.

#bordeaux #bargain #frenchwine #redwine #totalwine #2020 #winetasting #winelife #wset #bobpaulinski #masterofwine #chateau

свернуть