2009 Château des Joualles; Bordeaux Supérieur, France

Sourced from three of the classic Bordeaux grapes – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,  and Cabernet Franc,  this hails from the Entre-deux-Mers area, between Castillon and Ste.Foy. This Bordeaux Supérieur offers a nice window into the charms of the 2009 vintage – delicious ripe fruit and suave tannins.  Featuring nicely extracted fruit, this modern-styled wine is an ideal match for red meats such as roast lamb, grilled beef, and duck as well as hard cheese like our Beemster aged Gouda or Manchego.

This  small property near the St Emilion region is owned by Eric Freylon who, until recently, was the owner of Chateau Lasségue (a St. Emilion Grand Cru). This is a pretty blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc. The wine displays a deep ruby-purple color, and greets the nose with lovely notes of licorice, blackcurrant, and cherries. The medium-bodied palate is rich with dark fruit flavors and pleasingly full in texture. The finish is long, clean, and smooth. This is a truly great value from one of the greatest vintages of recent decades.

$16.99 per bottle or $173.30/case ($14.44)