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

Chateau Eyquem Le Belvedere

The Bayle and Carreau families bought this 17th century manor house, named for Louis d’Eyquem, nephew of Michel de Montaigne, writer and philosopher and often called the inventor of the essay. With clay-limestone soil and a view of the spot where the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers meet, this is planted to 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec.

Chateau Peynaud Bagnac

Bordeaux has had a string of highly touted vintages: 2018 comes to mind, tasting like Napa Cab blends. Then along comes 2020, another vintage for everyone to talk about. You should check out this blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauv and 5% Cab Franc.

Chateau Tayet Bordeaux Superieur

Look, there are 5000 labels in Bordeaux; you’re not expected to know them all, and neither are we. On the other hand, we should know the important ones, right? Well, we do. This is one we’ve always kept an eye on; it’s very close to where the Margaux appellation begins. It’s 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot and spends a year in barrels, half new. So, we pounced when this showed up.

Chateau Tuilerie Pages

In 1936 a small group of winegrowers from Monségur, joined forces to overcome the wine industry’s economic difficulties and modernize the wine making process. They created “Les Vignerons Réunis de Monségur” Cooperative. A century later, there are more than 90 members of the cooperative, and in 2010 the whole place got updated and modernized. Think softer lighter Merlot, perfect for lighter fare and even fish. If you need red wine with fish.

Chateau Vieux Lescours

Saint-Émilion is the oldest area of Bordeaux and its Roman ruins are a frequent reminder. Still, when the region was getting codified, Saint-Émilion was left out – it was sleepy and nearly forgotten. That changed in the 1990s when the garagiste movement of tiny Saint-Émilion wineries started making stunning, trend-setting wines. So “Old” (Vieux) Lescours is both Old School and modern.

Colline du Bonnet

Colline’s Grenache vines are baked in the sun around the town of Cébazon in eastern Languedoc, and still enjoy enough of the Mediterranean breezes to retain some acidity. The winemaking is more traditional than modern (cold soaking the grapes for two days is still new thinking) but otherwise the grapes stay on the skins in vats for at least a month; then see long aging in cement cubes. The old guys would be proud

Corasado

Bodegas Lo Nuevo has unquestionably modernized their winery; it’s practically a technical marvel now. But what makes these wines special is the place, Jumilla, with its intense weather. It’s tough ground for most grapes, but Monastrell (the French, who borrowed it from Spain, call it Mourvedre) and Cariñena (once again, a borrowed grape dubbed Carignan by the French) can thrive here.

Daou Cabernet

Georges and Daniel Daou didn’t just buy land in Paso Robles, they bought the old Hoffman Mountain Ranch and its famed barn as well. Founded by Dr. Stanley Hoffman in 1964, this was the site of some legendary wines. I can go on about the 1976 and 1977 HMR Cabernet, but then that would be rude. Let’s just say that Daou wines have an excellent and established pedigree. Their Cabernet is solely from estate fruit; powerful and plump.

Darley Alexander Valley Red