Master of Wine: 5 Bottles of Bordeaux for Under $100
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- čas přidán 6. 04. 2024
- In this video, Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine goes bargain Bordeaux wine shopping day at Total Wine. Five Red Bordeaux wines were purchased ranging from $11 to $27 each for a combined tab of under $100. A sixth bottle was purchased to get a 10% discount off the full lot. Even though the wines were purchased at Total Wine, many can be found through other sources, including the international markets. Prices may vary.
Several factors were taken into consideration. With some, I’ve tasted them previously, so I have firsthand experience. Overall, I considered the appellation, the specific chateaux, along with the strength of the vintage. The focus is on the plentiful and outstanding 2020 vintage. It’s the third of a trio of excellent vintages from the Bordeaux.
Bordeaux produces about 600M bottles of wine each year, across nearly 60 appellations, which includes several thousand wine producing chateaux. Commonly the region is split into what is termed the Left and Right Bank. In general terms, the Left Bank is more CS based, the Right Bank more Merlot focused. About 90% of the region’s wine production is red. Collectively, across the entire region, the primary grape varieties ranked for highest to lowest Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc. Malbec, PV, Carmenere combined make up a tiny percentage. More recently some additional varieties have come into to play on a limited basis due to climate change.
2020 Chateau Bois Redon Bordeaux Superieur $10.79
Made from 75% Merlot 25% CS, from the right bank. Decent depth of color, some fade at the edge of the glass, moderate aromatic intensity, black fruit, cassis, no hint of oak, medium bodied, relatively simple wine, yet with no obvious flaws. Not bad, rather meh.
2020 Chateau Loiseau Bordeaux Superieur $12.59
Made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. More depth, weight and structure than the previous wine. Medium deep color, good, bright fruit character, round, solid weight, decent length. Well made. Drink soon, over the next year or two.
2020 Chateau Lanassan Haut Medoc $18.89
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot percentage is one of the highest within Bordeaux. Very good Left Bank estate. Deep color, well extracted, full, ripe, good intensity, black and red fruit character, dried herb, smoke oak, good acidity, solid tannins, a keeper for another five years or so.
2020 Chateau de La Dauphine Fronsac $26.99
From the Right Bank, 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Very deep, dense, well extracted, nearly opaque core, big brooding, hefty wine, overt ripe fruit character, concentrated, obvious oak, a modern style of Bordeaux. Very good, solid aging potential.
2020 Chateau Dalem Fronsac $27.00
Made from predominantly Merlot, with a lesser amount of Cabernet Franc. Outstanding from start to finish, good color extraction, classic aromas, cassis, dark plum, cedar, oak, slight dried herb note, excellent integration of oak, long finish, extremely well made. Can easily cellar well for another five years.
#bordeaux #bargain #frenchwine #redwine #totalwine #2020 #winetasting #winelife #wset #bobpaulinski #masterofwine #chateau
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I love your comments, you explain with clarity the structure of a wine..! Going to total wine to buy your picks 🏆🏆🏆🍷🍷🍷
Hi Roberto, I appreciate the kind words. There were some very nice wines in that video. 🍷
Love the cork throw over the shoulder. Learned a lot about left / right bank from video. Awesome job!
Hi Jayme, I hope all is well. Thanks for the good word. 🍷
Thank you so much Bob, your videos are always very informative and helpful !
And thank you for the support. Much appreciated. 🍷
Was missing your videos Bob! Thanks again for your great content!
Back on course! Thanks Felipe. 🍷
Thank you Bob for another great video!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you. 🍷
Awesome stuff Bob! You’re the best !
Wow! Thank you. 🙏
Great video Bob! I appreciate all of them. I really enjoy these, here in the motor city there's not a lot of options to shop for quality wine at an affordable price.
Hi James, thanks for the good word. Detroit is my hometown. You should have a nearby Total. Maybe try Plum Market, good range of wines.
Thanks again Bob.
Thanks for commenting with a good word.
Hey Bob , at Total Wine I found a Cotes De Blaye over the holidays- a 2019 Chateau Mayne Mazerolles for $19. Truly exceptionable at this price point. Your friend Dr. Matthew Horkey did a tasting on video of this wine. Cheers!
Thanks for the message. I don’t recall seeing that one at Total.
I bought a few of the ‘20 Dalem En Primeur… Based on your review I’m looking forward to trying it in a couple years! Keep up the videos.
A few more years cellaring potential without a doubt. Thanks for the good word on my videos. Many more to come. 🍷
Bob - more greetings from Detroit! I am learning more about French wine and this video sure helps. Thank you. Off to Total Wine.
Cheers.
It’s always good hearing from someone living in my hometown. I’m glad my video helped a bit. I appreciate the comment. Oh, the Tigers pitching looks good!
Congrats for your video, very useful!!
Much appreciated. Thank you. 🍷
Another great video. I’ve got the 2019 Dalem Fronsac in the cave. Can’t wait to try it next weekend now.
There was a choice of ‘18, ‘19 or ‘20. Some of the ‘18 is too ripe, can have elevated alcohol. I prefer the ‘19 and ‘20. You’ll be doing just fine. Thanks for the good word on the video.
Love this!
Glad to see your message! 🍷
Another great video showing us mere mortals what good wines Bordeaux can produce outside those famous superstar classed growths.
We are off to Bordeaux later in the year for a city break and will watch out for some of these wines!
Alistair, thank you for the kind words. The city of Bordeaux has changed over the years, its much nicer compared to a few decades ago, Enjoy!
Great video!
Thanks! 🍷
Fantastic video, thanks for the reviews and tips. This might get me to step out of my Kirkland comfort zone. And the cork flick was great. 😂. Thanks!
Matthew, as always thanks for the good word. Getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing, go for it! 🍷
Great video, Bob! I just got back from Bordeaux (still in Paris for a few days before coming back to Boston). There’s SO much value in Bordeaux. My favorite price/quality wine in my trip came from the 2020 Tour Saint Christophe. I’ll be tracking that down in the US. But my favorite wine I tasted was definitely the 2018 and 2019 Troplong Mondot. They’ve turned down the oak and it’s right bank elegance that’s perfect form me!
Sounds like you had a great trip. I’ve had the Tour St Christophe, always a great value. With Troplong Mondot, you’re playing in the big leagues. And thank you for the good word on the video. 🍷
I had just bought the "rahter meh" one before seeing this video. Funny! Never had a Bordeaux before, good to see the movement up.
Looking forward to a Total Wine Burgundy video. Thanks
Oh no! 😂 so sorry to derail you! I’ll do another Total video before too long. 🍷
Great video- and great to see Lanassan featured. One of my favorite Bordeaux for the price. Other value favorites of mine include Potensac, Sociando, Chasse Spleen, Clos des Lunelles, Saint Nicolas, and Cantemerle (5th growth, but very well priced for a cru classe). I'm unfamiliar with Dauphine and Dalem- I'll have to look out for them! Thanks for the idol and keep up the fantastic work!
Thank you for commenting. Lanassan is a beauty. You mention many others good values, I have some 20+ year old Sociando Mallet that is drinking well. More Bordeaux videos to come. 🍷
@noahcap All great picks! I assume you mean the Sociando Mallet. I would also include Ch. Meyney.
Both are excellent additional options, but at a bit higher price points versus those featured in the video.
I enjoyed this video and agree with your views on Lanessan and Chateau Dalem. These young Bordeaux can be quite unfriendly when the cork is first pulled, and open up nicely after a few hours in a decanter. Thanks!
Thank you for commenting. Both wines had a good build, plenty of aging potential. Cheers. 🍷
I would have to agree with you on the Ch Dalem. I just had a bottle this week but I found it much improved the next day. This one should probably be decanted to get the best out of it.
I don’t decant often, but it would benefit this one. Cheers. 🍷
Thanks for your videos. I learn a lot each time I watch. I wonder if you might include the alcohol percentage for the wines you review. I’ve found that the lower the percentage the more food friendly the wine.
Thanks for the good word. I usually provide the alcohol level, I should’ve here.
Loving the cork toss…going to Bordeaux in October we would love some recommendations on a few wineries to visit…we are just starting the planning phase for winery bookings. Cheers and thank you 🍷
It just happened that way. Will keep doing it. 😂
It’s always best, often necessary to set up your stops in advance. Any particular part of Bordeaux?
Great video Bob! I like your unpretentious approach to wine. As someone who is relatively new to wine, could you explain a couple things for me? You mention that some wines have “structure” that allow it to be aged. What do you mean by a wine having “structure” and why does this contribute to it being age worthy? Also, one of the wines you mention have a “modern Bordeaux” style. What is a modern Bordeaux style and how does that compare to a more classic style? Thanks again for you content! I always enjoy your videos!
Thank you Joshua, I appreciate the good word. I can't stand the pretentious aspect of wine! Wines that are well structured have good ripeness, weight, build, everything is in balance, its harmonious. This can be linked to the vineyard or in the cellar with the winemaking. If the structure is lacking, lets say the fruit did not get adequately ripe in a specific vintage, the subsequent wine can show green unripe character, excessive acidity, etc. Modern versus classic, old school style of Bordeaux is like night and day. This is more my terminology. Modern styles tend to be riper, fuller, more extracted, often with greater oak influence. Sometimes they can be heavy, not well balanced and low in acidity. Classic style Bordeaux shows more restraint and nuance. It's not one is better than the other, they are simply different from one another. I hope that helps.
Fronsac....Chateau Dalem...Oh YES!!!!
Definitely 👍
Hey Bob, great content, as per usual. You're always very clear and concise. I've been avoiding Bordeaux due to intimidation of the sheer quantity and information to parse. Could you make an absolute beginner's guide to Bordeaux? How should a neophyte approach the Bordeaux section of the wine shop?
Another video I'd love is what conditions make for a good vintage? How early can you tell the vintage will be good? Where should we be looking globally for recent great vintages?
Thank you so much for your excellent and informative videos!
Cheers!
Thank you for the good word. Erik the Bread, hilarious! I've added your Bordeaux beginner video idea to the queue. Good idea. It'll be weeks away, but I'll make it happen. As for approaching Bordeaux in a shop, hopefully someone there can guide you. If not, look for specific appellations, Haut-Medoc, Moulis or Listrac is a good bet that will often be more Cabernet based and generally not steep in price. For more Merlot based, look for Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol or Montagne St Emilion. Many good ones can be found for around $25. Vintage refers to weather in a specific year. Home gardeners can relate. Some years are better than others. Poor years can relate to frost, excess rain (lead to rot), too cool or too hot temp, etc. I'll get into more with the Bordeaux beginner video. I hope this helps for now.
Thank you for the response! I'll start exploring those appellations.
I am a home gardener, so I certainly appreciate the variance in the weather between growing seasons. I suppose that side grapes are a full season crop you can know early if it's a bad season, but you can't declare a good season until the grapes are picked. Which conditions tend to affect yield vs quality?
Thanks for answering such basic questions! I'm really looking forward to your upcoming content.
@@uribulow No worries. Factors like frost, rain, hail (one of worst), heat spikes can all impact quality and yield. For example, hail damages the fruit causing rot, excessive heat can cause the grape acidity to plunge, it can also damage the grape skins. The quality of a vintage can’t accurately be assessed until the fruit is harvested.
Thank you! Great video. Any plans on a white Bordeaux video? Would love to see what’s good from Pessac and between two seas. 😁Cheers.
Hi Carl, thanks for kind message. White Bordeaux is coming, but a bit closer to summertime.
Thank you for another great video! I'm a big fan of the 2019 Chateau Dalem, can't wait to try the 2020🍷. Would love a video on white Bordeaux 🙏.
Thanks! You should like the 2020 as well. Funny thing, I'll release a white Bordeaux video closer to summertime.
We had a full case of the 2019 Chateau Dalem and also the 2019 Chateau Lilian Ladouys. Both were fantastic examples of Bordeaux and served us well as our “cellar defenders” The 2020 Chateau Dalem, in our assessment, did not have quite the weight and complexity of the 2019 vintage. Roughly one hour in the decanter for both. Cheers!
@@rjo8500 You’re drinking well! 🍷
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine We try lol. Another big favorite of ours is Chateau Branaire-Decru. We currently have the 2014, 2016, 2017, and highly rated 2018 vintages cruising in our cellar. They’re all coming along with the 2017 vintage closer to it’s drinking window. It’s an exceptional, consistent, and elegant Bordeaux that’s, all things considered, a great value. Would be great if you could highlight it. It really needs more exposure. In our opinion, for the money, a bigger bang for the buck than Chateau Lynch-Bages which we are also cellaring.
@@rjo8500 That is an excellent property and a good value for a classified wine. That’s probably why I’m a fan of Chateau Lanessan, near Branaire Ducru.
👍 love the recommendations, love the right bank! It's a bit more pricey than these, but the Chateau Fonplegade is very nice for the price (IMO)
Thanks. That’s a solid source for some added cash, but consistently very good. Cheers. 🍷
Fun reviews. Totally agree on the C. Dalem, one of my favorite cellar defenders. The 2022 has good reviews en primeur; I have 6 bottles ordered. Also agree with another commenter regarding C. Lilian Ladouys. If you're willing to spend $50, you can also get the second wines from Pichon Baron (Les Griffons) and Pichon Lalande (Pichon Lalande Reserve), both recommended.
Thank you for the good word. Plenty of very good Bordeaux values in today's market. Cheers!
Watching this while enjoying a 2015 La Dame de Montrose. Btw, great video.
That should be drinking well. Thanks for the good word on the video. 🍷
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwineNot as well as the 2005 Montrose we popped this past January ;) However, no disrespect to the La Dame. It’s a great connection to the Montrose experience for a quarter of the price. My wife actually prefers the round smooth tannins of the La Dame. Keep up the great videos. Much enjoyed!
@@rjo8500 I’ve had many excellent from Montrose over the years. Always reliable and always very good even in so-so vintages. Thanks for the good word on my videos. Much appreciated.
Always Thank you for the graet videos,Can i know what glass are you using in this video?
Thank you for the comment. The glass is the Schott Zwiesel Red Bordeaux. 🍷
Thank you !
@@Kuooo108 i believe they were purchased at Williams Sonoma.
Great video Bob!!
I have a bottle of 2016 Chateau Dalem Fronsac.
Should I drink it now or give it a few more years?
Thanks for the good word. The ‘16 is holding up fine. If you want to keep it, no worries for a few more years. 🍷
Thanks Bb! Arrive KL May 9 for about a month. Will you be around?
Hi Laura, yes, I’ll be there. Let’s connect on IM.
Great video as always! Since Merlot dominates I would assume more wine is produced on the right bank compared to left bank? Is that true?
I'm drinking well tonight. A GG Riesling from Rudolfs Fürst (Centgrafenberg 2019) that I've managed to space out over three evenings. But I must say, I probably enjoyed an Erste Lage from the same producer even more some months ago (Bürgstadter Berg 2017).
Thank you. I don’t know the split in volume between the Left and Right Bank, but that latter should get the nod by a good margin. You drink very well! Outstanding.
Once was a claret drinker, but eventually found better varietals and appellations. Still, you can pick some very decent Bordeaux for less than $10 at Costco, if they can sell wine in your state. Here in Florida, there is an ocean of wine available, even at gas stations…
It’s always good to have options! 🍷
Coincidentally, I opened a £10 bottle of Cotes de Bourg 2020 last night. Having been disappointed in the past with cheap claret I rarely buy something as low-priced as this. However, this one was really very pleasant, even a slight whiff of oak. It finished quite short, though. Also, I have some Lanessan 2015, 2017 and 2019 put by - I will take delivery of the '15s later this year.
Cotes de Bourg is a mixed bag. Best to stay with solid vintages. Last night, I drank the 2020 Lanessan. With plenty of aeration, it opens up nicely. The '15 should be drinking well.
Thanks Bob for reviewing wines that most of us can afford. I’ve been trying various right bank Bordeaux wines and somehow I tend to find them having a thick coat of green (hope I’m describing this right) and wish for more acid. Am I just being impatient with the oxidation or is there something else about it that somehow prevents me from fully enjoying them? I don’t think it’s from that movie as I tend to be able to stay logical. Thanks again for all your videos.
Thank you for the comment. I'm not sure what you mean by a thick coat of green. If you mean green as in vegetal or lean, that can happen in under-ripe years or when yields are too high. As for low acid, that tends to happen in very ripe, warm vintages. High heat can result in a spike in sugar concentration in the fruit, but a plunge in acidity. My suggestion is to be selective on the vintage. For example, 2018 is a hot vintage in Bordeaux, wines to be ripe and full, but sometimes lacking acidity. A year like 2021 is very different, less ripe, sometimes green, but with lifted acidity. Maybe try some 2020s, they often strike a middle ground between two other mentioned vintages.
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Thanks for your suggestions Bob. I think vegetal might be what I’ve been experiencing. I seldom pay attention to vintage but this gives me an opportunity to experience the difference. Thanks again and I look forward to new videos from you.
@@itsmekenlai The importance of vintage will vary by location. Some places have more consistent weather than others. In Bordeaux, vintage is very important. Cheers!
I've been drinking their La Tour Besson Margaux '19, quality stuff at $34 ...I'm going to go back an try the '20 which is a little cheaper @ $29
Both ‘19 and ‘20 are strong vintages. The latter should show well. Thanks for commenting. 🍷
FLORIDA PASSED A law to use larger bottles for wine and liquors. Tell us what states club stores we can buy at without being a member(open to the public)???
As far as I know, beverage alcohol and pharmacy are open to non-club members in the US.
I bet those last 2 with a 2 hr decant would be really good.
That’s spot on. The structure is there, just needed a bit of time.
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine fronsac & moulis are my go to when I feel like wine under $45
Can you explain your thinking on how long these will age a little more? I thought Bordeaux is generally good up to about five years and then you should wait another five for at least better wines so I’m curious about the last one or two- you said maybe five more years of aging which I think would put it in about eight years old, thank you!
Hi Bill, every wine is different. I’m considering the reputation of the chateau, strength of the vintage and build of each specific wine. Personal preference also comes into play. My estimates are not on the aggressive side. Over the years, I’ve kept too many wines longer than I should have. Cheers!
Does totalwine have electric shopping carts that have a basket and you ride it??? If not, im not going there!
Costco has Amigo carts with the basket- Amigo carts work real well !!😊
I don’t believe so.
Well, what do you know! I've managed to find Lanessan 2020 available for online purchase at €19.24. Fair price it seems. Now the question is, if I want to get the most learning out of it, should I drink it right away and compare my tasting note with yours (which I will have forgotten by the time I pop it up), or should I age it and see how that potential develops? Yes, I know it'd be best to get two bottles and do both, but budget's budget, and I need to save up for Diploma!
You found it for a good price! I was drinking that same wine this evening. If it would help, I’ll forward a more detailed tasting note.
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Okay, in the end I've ordered it! That tasting note would be super helpful indeed!!!!
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine That's it, I was delivered Lanessan 2020 today! I'll be tasting it before re-watching the video. I'll try to be as thorough as possible without unnecessary parts, see if I can compare.
The Lanessan is a solid wine, it’s funny that wine is 50 dollars Canadian plus 15% tax in Vancouver Canada lol
$50 Canadian, plus tax! $19 USD here. Someone is making a tidy profit!
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine yes, the government lol. Wine is generally double the price up here then in the US.. it’s a shame
@@danielplainview4778 ouch. Too bad
@@danielplainview4778 I was recently in Quebec and Ontario. Taking the exchange rate into consideration, the prices were steep, but not to the extreme that you’ve mentioned.
Konstantin Baum throws the corks to the camera (spectators), you throw them to the back. What is this business of throwing corks? 😂😂
I wonder if they will be left where they land forever, or someone will pick them up after the video? 😂
It just kind of happened that way. I pick them up. Found out the hard way. I once stepped on one in the middle of the night, it must've looked like my best ever Cirque du Soleil move! Haha!
@bobpaulinskimasterofwine7234 oh Bob 😂😂😂 luckily then, I haven't seen any caster in your videos 🤣
@@lauracanna2201 😂
Just bought a 2020 Lanessan yesterday at total wine north texas but I paid $1 more than you
What’s the chance of you buying the same wine? It’s worth the extra buck. 👍