Looking for value from Bordeaux? Research her satellites!

   Prices for the top wines in Bordeaux are through the roof, but don’t let that stop you from not only enjoying her wines, but some darn good ones at that….and for a lot less cash!

 On the left bank, the Cabernet Sauvignon based wines from less known AOPs can be stunning. The Medoc, Haut-Medoc and Graves often produce rivals to the better known communes for a fraction of the price…Charmail, LaLagune and Poujeaux to name a few, but for even less money, look for sleepers like Belle-Vue, Clos Floridene and others.

 The right bank has its stars, too.

In addition to the sub-districts of St. Emilion and Pomerol, there are many other satellite areas which produce excellent quality at a fraction of the price of wines from the major communes. Just look at the ‘Sleepers’ or ‘Best Value’ list from Wine Spectator or Robert M. Parker Jr. You will find plenty of wines from Cotes de Castillon, Canon/Fronsac, Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux, Bourg/Blaye, Cotes de Francs and the wines of Bordeaux Superieur, including Ch. Boliare, Cap de Faugeres, Mathilde de Fleur Moranges….the list is long and the points are always hovering around the magical 90 mark!

 Quite often, these wines are made under the guidance of, or even by, the same wine makers as many higher priced estates, and typically get similar treatment. I would say they are usually earlier maturing than their big brothers, but they make a nice drink while you wait patiently for the others to come around.

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne