Bordeaux Blend Wine

Imagine what Château Lafite-Rothschild would taste like if Malbec grew as well in Bordeaux as it does in Argentina? Caro, which is made in Argentina by the owners of Lafite, provides the answer. It has the classic mineral and herb notes of Lafite, and Lafite's classic Cabernet structure, but it adds the distinctive deep, rich black fruit notes that can only be obtained from Argentina's world-class Malbec grapes. For this wine, Lafite has teamed up with Argentina’s leading winery, Catena Zapata, which owns most of the finest Malbec vineyards in the region.

Quite stylish, harmonious, and complex, with a generous finishing sheen of new oak that makes it taste considerably more expensive than its modest price would suggest.
-- Ben Giliberti

This is one of our first arrivals from the highly regarded 2010 vintage, and if the delectable style of this modestly priced petite château is any indication, wine lovers are going to be arguing for decades over which is the greater vintage, 2010 or 2009. Made from a blend of 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cabernet Franc, this fruit-forward wine, from the northern part of the Entre Deux Mers appellation, is made by Jean Lobre and his two sons, whose family has owned Bellevue Rougier for four generations. Absolutely ready to drink now, this easy-drinking Bordeaux offers oodles of soft, spicy fruit, lightly seasoned by notes of red berries, Provençal herbs, and cedar. Although it has sufficient stuffing to match with main courses of meat or poultry, this wine is also delicious by itself or with light cheeses.

A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2006 Calon Segur is an elegant, classic effort that represents about 60% of their total production. Deep ruby, with forest floor, cassis, black cherry, and soil undertones in both the aromas and flavors, this is a medium to full-bodied wine. A success for the vintage, it exhibits fine density, moderately high but sweet tannins, and alluring texture, and fine purity. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2035.

Now 10 years old, the 2002 Château Canon has reached an exquisite maturity. Silky smooth and vibrant in the mouth, the graceful fruit quite literally glides over the palate, displaying notes of plums, raspberries berries, crème de cassis, with notes of freshplowed new earth and vanilla rising towards the finish. Drinking beautifully now, this wine has reached the plateau of maturity, where it will easily hold for an additional 7 to 10 years.
--Ben Giliberti, CW (June 2012)

The perfect bookend to the fully mature 2002 Château Canon, the 2008 is a great wine in the making. Although 3 to 4 years away from full maturity, its impeccable balance makes it highly approachable now. This is a wine of enormous freshness, vibrancy, and class, a symphony composed in notes of raspberry, strawberries, cassis, and gentle notes of new oak. An exceptional value in a great wine.
--Ben Giliberti, CW (June 2012)

This property is a real hidden "gem", just a stone's throw away from the St. Julien appellation and stars such as Lagrange and Gruaud Larose. We're happy to keep the secret because it means more wine for us! Owner Francois Nony, whom we got to visit with during our recent trip to Bordeaux, delivers a great 2009. A blackcurrant and cassis-like nose leads to a classic Medoc earthy finish. This wine is well-balanced with a freshness of fruit that is a hallmark of this vintage. It should age well for 5-10 more years. A real bargain!

Listrac's deep gravel soils rival the best of the Haut-Médoc, and this prominent Listrac château makes its wine to a classified growth standard, with the flavors of new oak well-integrated into this dark purple, powerful wine.
-- Ben Giliberti