Before we talk about Bordeaux, let’s dispel one of the wine world’s biggest myths: Not all Bordeaux wines are expensive and out of reach of mere mortals. Sure, some bottles can fetch tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, but with more than 7,000 chateaus in the region, wine is made at a variety of quality levels and prices, so there really is something for everyone. We’re often asked to explain the Bordeaux Classification of 1855 and we remind those asking that it was at the request of the Emperor Napoleon III and was simply based on cost per bottle and nothing else; it’s important to remember that this was at a time when price correlated directly to quality. The classification system probably would not work today because it doesn’t factor into account marketing costs, packaging, social media penetration, and a variety of other criteria. The 1855 Classification was only based on price, but that’s not to say that the chateaus have not grown into their well-respected positions today. Bordeaux also benefited from the 1152 marriage of Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine to the future king Henry II of England. For 300 years Bordeaux winemakers were able to send their wines to England absolutely tax free and develop a strong popularity with British royalty and nobility.
Bordeaux has 57 subregions that produce high quality wines and are allowed to use the AOC designation on their labels. On the Left Bank of the Gironde, where Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape, the Medoc encompasses Haut-Médoc, St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien, Margaux, Moulis, and Listrac. Graves and Pessac-Leognan are south of Medoc and the city of Bordeaux but also on the Left Bank, while Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, on the Right Bank, are known for their Merlot-based bottlings. That’s not to say that other subregions are not important, they just don’t have the market availability in the United States as the ones we have just outlined. We tasted quite a few stunning Bordeaux wines at Wine Paris last month and here are the seven best for you to buy right now.
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Château Rauzan-Segla 2020 Margaux Bordeaux France
Currently owned by the venerable French fashion house Chanel, Château Rauzan-Segla—classified Second Growth in 1855—has a remarkable past. It was a favorite of President Thomas Jefferson and records show that he not only visited the estate but also purchased a few cases of wine for his personal cellar. The chateau was rebuilt in the early 1900s and is one of the most beautiful to visit. Their 2020 is a blend of 57 percent Cab, 40 percent Merlot, 2 percent Petit Verdot, and 1 percent Cabernet Franc and it’s drinking nicely right now, but if you have enough restraint, don’t hesitate to lay a few bottles down for 10 years. We found enticing aromas of black olive tapenade, toasted hazelnuts, and black currant that led to rounded tannins and flavors of cassis, black raspberry, black plum, and a light touch of saddle leather in the finish.
Buy Now: $70
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Château Rauzan-Segla 2020 Margaux Bordeaux France
Currently owned by the venerable French fashion house Chanel, Château Rauzan-Segla—classified Second Growth in 1855—has a remarkable past. It was a favorite of President Thomas Jefferson and records show that he not only visited the estate but also purchased a few cases of wine for his personal cellar. The chateau was rebuilt in the early 1900s and is one of the most beautiful to visit. Their 2020 is a blend of 57 percent Cab, 40 percent Merlot, 2 percent Petit Verdot, and 1 percent Cabernet Franc and it’s drinking nicely right now, but if you have enough restraint, don’t hesitate to lay a few bottles down for 10 years. We found enticing aromas of black olive tapenade, toasted hazelnuts, and black currant that led to rounded tannins and flavors of cassis, black raspberry, black plum, and a light touch of saddle leather in the finish.
Buy Now: $150
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Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2016 Pessac-Leognan Bordeaux France
George Smith, a wine merchant from Scotland, purchased the chateau in the mid-1700s and promptly named it after himself. It was sold to Lodi Martin Duffour Dubergier, the mayor of Bordeaux, in 1842, and he elevated it to Grand Cru Exceptionnel status before signing the official 1855 classification a few years later. This delightful wine is now just about nine years old and is drinking superbly right now. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot it has aromas of purple flowers, cedar, graphite, and cherry pie which transform to flavors of black raspberry confit, dark chocolate, and black cherry.
Buy Now: $145
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Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 2020 Pauillac Bordeaux France
The original Pichon Baron estate was established in the late 1600s but 150 years later the Baron Pichon de Longueville divided it in half with his three sisters. His portion retained the Pichon Baron name and his sisters’ portion across the road acquired the name Pichon Comtesse. The wines were classified as Second Grand Cru Classe in 1855 and have been a favorite of collectors ever since. The 2020 is a blend of 76 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 24 percent Merlot and has aromas of pencil shavings, crushed violet petals and blueberry. It has plush, rounded tannins and flavors of black currant, tobacco leaf, and cedar box. Drink now through the next two decades.
Buy Now: $180
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Château Lynch-Bages 2019 Pauillac Bordeaux France
Irish born John Lynch left Galway and settled in Bordeaux in 1691. His son Thomas married into the Drouillard family in 1750 and became steward of the estate, but it was John’s grandson Michel who systematically planted the proper vines on the proper soils and took winemaking at the estate to the next level. Château Lynch-Bages 2019 is proof of that concept with aromas of flint, black raspberry, and red plum with grippy tannins and flavors of crushed violet petals, black currant, and black cherry. It’s drinking nicely right now but a few more years in the bottle will mellow out the tannins.
Buy Now: $170
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Château Grand Puy-Lacoste 2020 Pauillac Bordeaux France
Records show that the first house was built in 1737, but it wasn’t until 1855 that a structure worthy of the word chateau was built by Pierre-Frederic Lacoste, who lived there until he was forced to sell in 1926. Francois Xavier and Marie Helen Borie purchased the Château in 1979 and because of her impeccable design sense it looks as it does today. Francois Xavier concentrated on the winemaking and hired only the best winemaking team. Their 2020 has aromas of crushed violet, brown baking spices, and red plum with velvety tannins, precise minerality, and flavors of red raspberry, cassis, and crushed river rock. It is a blend of three quarters Cabernet Sauvignon and one quarter Merlot.
Buy Now: $90
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Château Canon 2019 St. Emilion Bordeaux France
Château Canon’s history dates back to 1760 when Jaques Kanon acquired the property, began planting vines, and built the impressive chateau which stands today. The domain was eventually acquired by the Wertheimer family, who also own the fashion brand Chanel. A blend of three quarters Merlot and one quarter Cabernet Franc this well-made wine opens with aromas of strawberry, blueberry red raspberry, and black cherry. It has generous rounded tannins and flavors of Luxardo cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, finely ground white pepper, and red plum. It’s drinking beautifully right now, but don’t hesitate to enjoy a bottle now and lay another down for 10 more years.
Buy Now: $160
