DRINK OF THE WEEK
TOM’S PICK OF THE BUNCH
Bourgeois bargain
Château La Pirouette Mèdoc 2016 €19, whelehanswines.ie
Half Cabernet, the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. Robert Parker thinks this cru bourgeois is like a Saint-Julien and he has a point. Seriously good value.
Ample potential
Château Ampélia Castillon Côtes be Bordeaux 2019 €25, whelehanswines.ie
Lush, rich, supple and smooth with a stylish touch of toasty oak. Plenty of potential.
Sheer elegance
Château du Retout HautMèdoc 2016 €25, whelehanswines.ie
Beautifully crafted and mainly Cabernet, this cru bourgeois is all about cassis, gentle oak and sheer elegance.
Fleshy and ready
Château Puygueraud Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2016 €29, whelehanswines.ie
Puygueuraud makes fleshy wines with 80 per cent Merlot. This 2016 is ready but will hold.
Classic claret
Château Cambon La Pelouse Haut-Mèdoc 2016 €30, whelehanswines.ie
This vintage was made by Hubert de Boüard of Château Angelus and it’s just ready but will continue to evolve for several years.