Château Manos Cadillac 2016
A nice value in this little half bottle—the 2016 Château Manos is pale lemon yellow in the glass with blooming aromas of poached pear, apricot skin, orange blossom, and granulated honey. This Semillon-dominant blend is round and lush on the palate, and while not as botrytis-laden or rich as some—there is nice purity of fruit […]
Château du Cros Loupiac 2014
For Sauternes lovers, Loupiac is a stunning value—especially when one finds producers such as this. The Château du Cros Loupiac 2014 is a blend of 90% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon blanc, and 5% Muscadelle grown in chalky clay with limestone subsoil. Mushrooms bloom from the glass followed by pure-fruited splendor: yellow peach and apricot, candied orange […]
Château Filhot Sauternes Grand Cru Classé 2015
A stunning second growth, Château Filhot Grand Cru Classé 2015 glints goldenrod in the glass. Still young and primary in expression it’s brimming with penetrating aromas of apricot, candied pineapple, orange Creamsicle, and savory herbs. Fresh and vivid, yet luscious and opulent, too. As with all well-crafted Sauternes, acidity provides lift and weightlessness amidst depth of […]
Château de Pitray Premier Vin 2015
A right-bank, Merlot-dominant blend, Château de Pitray is now managed by the estate’s 25th generation. The wine is delicious for its price point—Merlot’s dark cherry and Damson plum notes are beautifully matched by Cabernet Franc’s delicate florality, combined with enveloping cigar box and warm spice notes. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with well-balanced acidity. The […]
Château Puygueraud Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2015
Owned by George Thienpont—the family also own Vieux Château Certan, as such Puygueraud delivers excellent value. This supple blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec delivers enveloping aromas of blackcurrant, blackberries, Bing cherries, sweet tobacco, leather, and vanilla. It’s round and silky in the mouth with suave tannins that lend structure and […]
Château Mauvesin Barton Moulis-en-Médoc 2012
2012 vintage was a bit of a mixed bag for Bordeaux—a year beset by poor fruit set and a notably hot summer. The 2012 Château Mauvesin Barton Moulis-en-Médoc offers up classic aromas of plum, cassis, a touch of leather and a bit of underbrush. In the mouth, the tannins are firm, but velvety, with acidity […]
Clos des Lunes Lune Blanche 2014
Clos des Lunes, as the name implies, is limpid, yellow moonlight buckled in and braced by moderate oak. Bosc pear, baked apple, fading prairie flowers, and lemon curd permeate the nose. In the mouth, texturally, there is a suggestion of skin contact in addition to light toast—vibrant acidity gives it lift, freshness and a touch […]
Château Rieussec Sauternes 2010
I couldn’t resist pulling one of my remaining bottles of 2010 Château Rieussec from the cellar. Burnished gold in the glass, it’s exactly as I remember the last bottle I sampled in 2014—a sumptuous mélange of dried apricots, mango, creme brûlée, cloves, acacia honey and a heady whiff of smoke and dried mint. Round, glycerol-laden […]
Château Pavie Arômes de Pavie Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009
Arômes de Pavie is the second label of Château Pavie, and is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009—a warm, ripe vintage is drinking beautifully now. Tight on opening, but after three hours aromas of earth and dust, and freshly turned soil emerge and subside, followed by Damson […]
Château de Monbazan Grand Vin de Graves 2015
From Garagiste, a classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec—in this case from a biodynamic producer (something of a rarity in Bordeaux), the 2015 Château de Monbazan Graves Rouge is plush on the nose and palate. The first impression is one of cherry pie, followed by vanilla, baking spices, and the merest […]