The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
$14 red wine proves good bordeaux doesn’t have to cost a lot
This week we feature three bordeaux to demonstrate the value this historic and still very important region can offer. And since spring is coming, here are two white wines to help you relax and think of flowers, rejuvenation and new beginnings.
Chateau des Laurets 2014/2015: three stars; Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France, $37
Hailing from the Right Bank, this delightful blend of merlot and cabernet franc is savory and delicious, with flavors of dark plum, cherry and earth. I tasted the 2014, generally considered a lighter vintage, and the wine is delicious. The distributor is now selling the 2015, a riper, bolder vintage. A fun afternoon could be spent comparing the two; both should have good availability in the market. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent.
Stefano Accordini Pastel Bianco Veronese 2018: three stars; Italy, $15 (great value)
Made from garganega, the primary white grape grown in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy (think soave), this is a delightful, beguiling wine. It flirts with aromas of white flowers, then seduces with a touch of honey-roasted peach. Pair it with seafood or light pasta dishes, but be sure to save some to savor by itself later, as it opens up and reassures you that life can still be wonderful.
ABV: 12.5 percent.
Chateau La Freynelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2016: two and a half stars; Bordeaux, $17 (great value)
This wine is 100 percent cabernet sauvignon, unusual for Bordeaux, and especially for the EntreDeux-Mers, the region between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, where merlot is king among red grapes. No matter - Veronique Barthe, the seventh generation and first woman of the Barthe family to run the estate - has crafted a delicious wine. Black currant flavors dominate over a core of graphite minerality that gives the wine heft and backbone, and carries it to a satisfying finish. Enjoy this with grilled steaks or hearty stews. ABV: 13.5 percent.
Disznoko Tokaji Dry Furmint 2018: two and a half stars; Hungary, $17 (great value)
Furmint is the grape of Hungary’s marvelous sweet tokaji wines. The dry version tastes crisp and refreshing, with an underlying complexity that waits for you to pay attention before revealing itself. This wine is beguilingly delicious, and is worth your attention. ABV: 13.5 percent.
Chateau La Mothe du Barry 2018: two stars; Bordeaux Supérieur, France, $14 (great value)
Here’s a perennial favorite of mine for the delicious fruit and sheer value it offers. This is also from the Entre-Deux-Mers, but the estate is close to SaintEmilion, so some of the juju apparently wafts over on the wind from its prestigious neighbor. Certified organic viticulture. ABV: 14.5 percent.
Ratings: 3 stars: Exceptional; 2 stars: Excellent; 1 star: Very good. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.