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C'est pas la Mer a Boire Picpoul
Here’s what you should know about Picpoul de Pinet: it’s never bad; and only sometimes good. So there’s a lot to be said for grapes that never suck. About the time I decided I was no longer going to think about the Picpoul grape, I tasted this Picpoul de Pinet and it was utterly delicious.
Type, Body & Flavor
Ch St Jean Cinq Cepage
In 1996 Cinq Cépages was named Number One in the Wine Spectator's Top 100 list. Three years later it was named number two but cut them some slack; that is still some awesome bragging rights. Instantly the wine went from a great wine secret to an allocated wine demanded by the buying public, retailers and restaurateurs. Twenty years later, it has drifted back into the realm of wines for people in the know. So now’s your chance to get in on it.
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Carteau Magnum
The vines on this Saint-Emilion property produce less fruit but more concentrated flavors; that is the character of older vines. The very typical Saint-Émilion blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon sees a bit more new oak than is typical at this price point; the Bertrand family, long-time owners, clearly see this wine as having the backbone for it. Half new and half one-year-old barrels generate more spice and weight
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau du Fort Pontus
Fronsac is a Bordeaux satellite, not the kind that whirrs around in the sky, but more like a suburb. The Chateau itself is an imposing edifice that once stood sentinel over this part of France. Merlot is key in these areas, giving a generous and round wine that is ideal for blending, sometimes with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. But this tasty Fronsac is 100% Merlot!
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Fombrion La Griveliere
This Cabernet and Merlot blend is owned by the courtiers Horeau-Beylot (founded in 1740), one of the oldest such in Bordeaux. The chateau is over a century old too and is part of the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, just across the narrow Gironde River from Margaux, and a satellite region of Pomerol and St.-Émilion, home of the world’s greatest Merlot.
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt
Like much of the best of Bordeaux, Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt has proven itself over centuries. The elegant mansion was built in 1660 but the estate’s origins go back to the Middle Ages, and it can reasonably be called one of the oldest wine estates in the great commune of Léognan, the beating heart of Graves. The estate benefits even more by sharing the winemaking team of Malartic-Lagravière. This is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Grand Billard
If you ask any wine expert to name the value wines, they will likely reel off only a few dozen well-known names, and some of them count Grand Billard amongst them. It’s the basic Sauvignon Blanc blend, with mostly used barrels to keep the cost reasonable. This is from the critically raved about 2022 vintage so check out the wine to see what the fuss is all about.
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Grand Bourdieu Expression
Grand Bourdieu is planted on a mix of clay and gravel, like this part of Graves enjoys, that can handle the wet May-June-July but without holding too much water. They’ve been making wine since the 17th century and these days it’s heavy on the Merlot (65%), backed up with Cabernet Sauvignon (35%).
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
This chateau started as Domaine de Lagraviere but after the Comte de Malartic, a well-known French Navy Admiral (that’s why they have a boat on their logo) bought it in the 1850s, they appended their name to it. The Bonnie family bought it in 1997 and have dropped $20 million on fancying it up. It’s worked. Each of their last twenty vintages, whether strong or shaky, are excellent.
Type, Body & Flavor
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Magnum
This chateau started as Domaine de Lagraviere but after the Comte de Malartic, a well-known French Navy Admiral (that’s why they have a boat on their logo) bought it in the 1850s, they appended their name to it. The Bonnie family bought it in 1997 and have dropped $20 million on fancying it up. It’s worked. Each of their last twenty vintages, whether strong or shaky, are excellent.
Type, Body & Flavor
C'est pas la Mer a Boire Picpoul
Here’s what you should know about Picpoul de Pinet: it’s never bad; and only sometimes good. So there’s a lot to be said for grapes that never suck. About the time I decided I was no longer going to think about the Picpoul grape, I tasted this Picpoul de Pinet and it was utterly delicious.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Ch St Jean Cinq Cepage
In 1996 Cinq Cépages was named Number One in the Wine Spectator's Top 100 list. Three years later it was named number two but cut them some slack; that is still some awesome bragging rights. Instantly the wine went from a great wine secret to an allocated wine demanded by the buying public, retailers and restaurateurs. Twenty years later, it has drifted back into the realm of wines for people in the know. So now’s your chance to get in on it.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Carteau Magnum
The vines on this Saint-Emilion property produce less fruit but more concentrated flavors; that is the character of older vines. The very typical Saint-Émilion blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon sees a bit more new oak than is typical at this price point; the Bertrand family, long-time owners, clearly see this wine as having the backbone for it. Half new and half one-year-old barrels generate more spice and weight
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau du Fort Pontus
Fronsac is a Bordeaux satellite, not the kind that whirrs around in the sky, but more like a suburb. The Chateau itself is an imposing edifice that once stood sentinel over this part of France. Merlot is key in these areas, giving a generous and round wine that is ideal for blending, sometimes with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. But this tasty Fronsac is 100% Merlot!
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Fombrion La Griveliere
This Cabernet and Merlot blend is owned by the courtiers Horeau-Beylot (founded in 1740), one of the oldest such in Bordeaux. The chateau is over a century old too and is part of the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, just across the narrow Gironde River from Margaux, and a satellite region of Pomerol and St.-Émilion, home of the world’s greatest Merlot.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt
Like much of the best of Bordeaux, Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt has proven itself over centuries. The elegant mansion was built in 1660 but the estate’s origins go back to the Middle Ages, and it can reasonably be called one of the oldest wine estates in the great commune of Léognan, the beating heart of Graves. The estate benefits even more by sharing the winemaking team of Malartic-Lagravière. This is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Grand Billard
If you ask any wine expert to name the value wines, they will likely reel off only a few dozen well-known names, and some of them count Grand Billard amongst them. It’s the basic Sauvignon Blanc blend, with mostly used barrels to keep the cost reasonable. This is from the critically raved about 2022 vintage so check out the wine to see what the fuss is all about.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Grand Bourdieu Expression
Grand Bourdieu is planted on a mix of clay and gravel, like this part of Graves enjoys, that can handle the wet May-June-July but without holding too much water. They’ve been making wine since the 17th century and these days it’s heavy on the Merlot (65%), backed up with Cabernet Sauvignon (35%).
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere
This chateau started as Domaine de Lagraviere but after the Comte de Malartic, a well-known French Navy Admiral (that’s why they have a boat on their logo) bought it in the 1850s, they appended their name to it. The Bonnie family bought it in 1997 and have dropped $20 million on fancying it up. It’s worked. Each of their last twenty vintages, whether strong or shaky, are excellent.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Magnum
This chateau started as Domaine de Lagraviere but after the Comte de Malartic, a well-known French Navy Admiral (that’s why they have a boat on their logo) bought it in the 1850s, they appended their name to it. The Bonnie family bought it in 1997 and have dropped $20 million on fancying it up. It’s worked. Each of their last twenty vintages, whether strong or shaky, are excellent.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions