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.

Chateau Landreau Cuvee La Roseau

In the 1950s, two families joined forces; the Carreaus as vineyard experts and the Bayles as winemakers, but they had both been in their respective business for more than a century. They’ve since collected more vineyards from the family and from neighbors, including Château Landreau in 1995, a 40-acre estate in Côtes de Bourg with red clay soils and a view of the Gironde River. This is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and very, very classic.

Chateau Pontey-Lamartine

A new project planted only in 2004. It might be new, but this portion of Bordeaux has been producing wine since at least the 14th century; owner Dominique Haverlan built upon the successes of the Gaubert family, in 1988, Haverlan restored the house and the vineyard. Today Romain Haverlan handles the winemaking. 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with one year in French, one-quarter of that new.

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

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.

Clerus Saint Chinian

The Vignerons de Cruzy Montouliers Cebazan have only been around since 2014 but they have modern cellars and contemporary ideas about winemaking, unlike some in the area. Certain spots have stood out for years. St.-Chinian uses a plethora of grapes: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre and Syrah, though Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache account for about 70% of the region’s grapes.

Clos Delfines

Albarino is Spain's most successful white wine and Clos Delfines is a benchmark for the style: crisp, green apple, pear and peach skins.

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.