Bordeaux is the largest wine growing area in France, producing excellent everyday drinking wine as well as some of the most expensive and prestigious wines in the world The villages are divided by the Dordogne river. In the Right Bank, Merlot dominates the vineyards, in the Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon plays a larger role. Join us on Saturday as we taste through a delicious cross section of the region including two examples from the great 2010 vintage.
2012 Château d’Argendens, Blanc $15
65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon
Château d’Argadens in named in reference to the noble family which founded the estate in the thirteenth century. Today the vineyards produce two solid Bordeaux of consistent value. The Blanc has complex aromas of citrus fruit and boxwood, underpinned by notes that tend more towards vanilla and roasted almonds. The palate has an elegant, fruit-forward attack from the Sauvignon and a perfectly balanced, crunchy palate.
2011 Château d’Argendens, Rouge $16
63% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
The d’Argendens Rouge is from 30 year old vines and ages for 14 months in French oak barrels (30% new). It is a modern Bordeaux with lots of concentrated fruit and an attractive, supple balance. The rather complex nose combines ripe red fruits with vanilla and cocoa-like notes. The front-of-palate is ample and generous, with a perceptible but remarkably well integrated tannic base. The harmonious alliance of fruit and tannin make this an elegant wine of great finesse.
2010 Château Mangot, St Emilion Grand Cru $30
85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon
Château Mangot is situated on a superb hillside limestone outcropping. This classic Right Bank 28-hectare organically-farmed vineyard is planted with vines averaging 40 years of age, primarily Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The wine ages in oak barrels (40% new) from 12 to 16 months. The 2010 has an immediately flattering nose of warm plums and other ripe fruits, spices, and wood; bright, fruit-driven, fleshy palate; long in the mouth with fine tannins.
2010 Château Peyrabon, Haut Medoc $34
59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot
Situated in the Left Bank Haut-Medoc, Chateau Peyrabon is a 50 hectare estate of gravel soils which the Cabernet Sauvignon loves. The wine is aged in barrel (22% new) for 14 months. The wine is a succulent and solid Bordeaux from a great vintage. “Some roasted herbs, damp earth, interwoven with red and black currants, cherries and spice box are all present in this classic Bordeaux, which exhibits medium body, good density and plenty of balance and elegance.” Wine Advocate
Château d’Orignac, Pineau des Charentes $34
Pineau des Charantes is a sweet aperitif made by blending year old cognac with grape must that is about to ferment. Château d’Orignac is made Merlot and Cabernet grapes and is aged in oak barrels for around four to five years. The result is a fragrant, fruity fortified wine that is great as an aperitif or an accompaniment for dessert. It should be served well-chilled to truly appreciate the zip of apricots poached in syrup and delicate caramel and honey notes.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.