When you’re ready to discover a captivating wine that’s also affordable, seek those from enchanting Bordeaux. Surprised? Don’t be. There are plenty of hidden treasures found in this iconic wine region – and they’re not all wildly expensive luxury wines. After a trip to picturesque Côtes de Bordeaux within the region of Entre-Deux-Mers over a year ago and opportunities to taste other notable selections from Entre-Deux-Mers, I’ve been seeking Bordeaux wines that offer exceptional value in terms of taste and affordability. Following are two wines (purchased) that are worth every sip.
Photo Credit: Wine Folly
Château Marjosse from Entre-Deux-Mers
Entre-Deux-Mers translates to “between two seas” and indicates its location between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Recognized for its crisp, cool wines of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle, we can also find red wines of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, although in lesser quantities.
Terroir is of well-drained soils and maritime influences result in wines with bright acidity and flavor. Château Marjosse is known for its white wines and its reds have the Bordeaux AOC title on the label. In fact, red wines from the Château equal the production volume of its white wines.
As of 2013, Pierre Lurton owns Château Marjosse, although he assumed the winemaking role in 1990 when it covered 12 hectares. (He’s also the managing director of recognizable estates, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem.) Through the years, Lurton has upgraded the property with vineyard, winery and manor house renovations. Currently, the estate is 65 hectares of land and most is under vine. Bonus? Pierre Lurton is known for producing some of the best red and white wines from Entre-Deux-Mers with his portfolio from Château Marjosse.
Château Marjosse 2020 (around $17) is a lovely, approachable wine of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, especially after opening for 30 minutes or so. The nose offered aromas of spice, black plums, sage, smoke, dried cherries and herbs while the complex palate, balanced and broad, suggested notes of crushed blueberries, mint, violets and black currants. Soft tannic structure and bright acidity framed this memorable Bordeaux.
Château Carignan from Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac in Entre-Deux-Mers
The AOC Côtes de Bordeaux is found on the right bank of the rivers Dordogne and Garonne as well as the Gironde Estuary that washes into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s comprised of 5 unique regions: Blaye, Castillon, Cadillac, Francs and Sainte-Foy. More than 950 producers make an average of 500,000 hectoliters of wines (665 million bottles) of which 97% are red wines. In fact, 10% of all Bordeaux wines are made in Côtes de Bordeaux.
Producing delicate, refined wines, 2200 hectares of vineyards are in 39 communes of Cadillac – Côtes de Bordeaux. These vineyards are on calcareous soils covered with stony gravel on the summits, clay and limestone in the middle of the slope, and fine gravel mixed with silica at the coast. The area is highly influenced by the Gironde Estuary which helps temper the climate. Varieties grown are 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec.
Château Carignan dates from the 11th century when it was built on the site of a Roman villa. Rebuilt in 1452, it became home to well known owners such as the Montesquieu family and General Etienne Donna, assistant to Joseph Bonaparte. Château Carignan is now a stunning property of 150 hectares of which 65 are vineyards. Soils are on clay-limestone slopes on top of which is stony gravel. The estates grape varieties are mostly Merlot as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Château Carignan AOP Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2019 (around $25) is predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Dark rich fruit, spice, black plums and chocolate covered cherry aromas wafted from the glass. On the palate, satin-like tannins and moderate acidity framed notes of black cassis, cocoa, spice and blackberries. Highly recommended.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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