Fresh and drinkable: The 7 best Bordeaux reds
OUR expert takes French leave to discover the finest Bordeaux reds.
Bordeaux is the world’s largest and most famous fine wine region. It’s home to a wide variety of wines, ranging from cheap, value-for-money reds to the super-expensive, legendary “first growths”.
Cabernet sauvignon and merlot are the key grapes here – more often than not Bordeaux reds are blends of these and a small band of other varieties such as cabernet franc and petit verdot. Bordeaux reds are also known as claret and here I’ve picked a tasty selection, from value-for-money to splash-the-cash bottles.
From left:
Château Greysac 2008 Médoc £14.99, Majestic, 13% alcohol
With minerals, spice and savouriness and nice evolution after seven years in the bottle, this is a drinkable claret that will delight traditionalists.
Château Potensac 2002 Médoc £26.90, bbr.com (0800 280 2440), 13.5% alcohol
It isn’t cheap, but good Bordeaux is expensive and this is delicious – plus it’s ready to drink. It’s mature, savoury and a bit earthy with fine spiciness and tasty cherry and plum fruit. This is why people cellar Bordeaux.
Tanners Claret NV £8.40, tanners-wines.co.uk (01743 234455), 13% alcohol
A blend of different vintages, this good, solid claret is fresh and drinkable. It’s a classic Bordeaux, with an attractive chalky edge to the supple, juicy cherry and blackcurrant fruit.
Marks & Spencer Haut-Vignoble 2014 £7, M&S, 12.5% alcohol
From the Entre-Deux-Mers sub-region, this is fresh, juicy and bright with cherry and plum fruit and a nice green, sappy edge that adds to the sense of freshness. It’s very fruity and drinkable.
Asda Extra Special Bordeaux Château Roberperots 2012 £7.25, Asda, 12% alcohol
This affordable claret is deliciously juicy and spicy, with fresh red berries and some stony notes. Rounded, appealing and ready to enjoy now.
The Society’s Exhibition Pomerol 2009 £17, thewinesociety.com (01438 741177), 14% alcohol
Pomerol is a small, high-prestige sub-region of Bordeaux that specialises in the merlot grape. This is classy, taut and focused with a mineral, chalky edge to the sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit. It’s impressive stuff.
Château La Croix Taillefer Pomerol 2012 £24.99, Waitrose, 13.5% alcohol
This classic pomerol is a real treat. It’s complex, fresh and grippy with juicy plum and blackberry fruit, together with a hint of black cherry. You can drink it now, although it will keep improving for a few years.