Feb 25th 2011: Reds From the Famous Terroir of Bordeaux

Red Bordeaux is one of most sought after wines in the world of fine wines. When prices seem stupid high, like for the famous 2000 & 2005 wines, they go even higher for the next and lesser vintages. The main reason is that, as always, prices are set at what the market will bear. And in recent years the Asian market has come to the party in a big way and they seem willing to pay ridiculous prices for these world famous wines. The first growths (Lafite, Latour etc.) go from $500 to $1000 a bottle…….as futures! It’s crazy but true. My job is to find some really excellent wines at prices slightly below the thousand dollar mark. And that’s exactly what I’ve done for this weeks tasting. All of the wines we’ll be tasting have classic Bordeaux qualities at various prices and I think all of the wines are values, relatively speaking. The price of the tasting is higher than usual but I think it’s a great opportunity for you all to taste what Bordeaux is all about. When I see other shops doing a Bordeaux tasting for $15 I just find it hard to believe that it’s an interesting flight of wines! Rhone, yes. Italy, yes. Oregon Pinot, yes (somewhat difficult) but Bordeaux……………no way.

And for educational purposes I should list the grapes that go into red Bordeaux. These are called the 5 Bordeaux varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot. And most wines from the region are various blends of these grapes.

It’s supposed to be pretty cold tomorrow and these are ideal wines to ward off the cold!

THE LINEUP ($22)

2005 Chateau Duplessy/ Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux $18

2005 Chateau Bibian/ Listrac-Medoc $25

2006 Chateau Joanin Becot/ Cotes De Castillon $33

2005 Chateau Gigault, “Cuvee Viva”/ Premieres Cotes de Blaye $38

2005 Chateau Clos des Jacobins/ St. Emilion, Grand Cru Classe $75

PREMIUM POUR ($8)

2005 Chateau Talbot/ St. Julien $79