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Bordeaux has beautiful estates and legendary wines, but the top wines are out of reach of the everyday enthusiast

100 Problems with Bordeaux

• Bordeaux is stuffy
• Bordeaux is expensive
• Bordeaux needs to be aged for 20 years before you drink it
• I love Bordeaux, but it’s really only for very special occasions
• Bordeaux is what grandfathers drink, no one under 50 will touch the stuff

These are the opinions in a typical American wine shop today, and you’ll have a hard time finding much Bordeaux in many a shop. There is a kernel of truth in some of these statements. Wines are labeled after the commune, not the grape. Wines which are traditional in approach with a line drawing of a chateau on the label can seem stuffy. Top Bordeaux wines can be mind-numbingly expensive and they will benefit from long aging. However, they are less than 10% of the wines produced in the region. There aren’t that many millionaires who can afford $500 a bottle!

The appellations of Côtes de Bordeaux sit on the Right Bank, just across the river from the storied Left Bank and just next to the top Right Bank regions. You’ll find lots of delicious bargains when you know these names (map courtesy of Teuwen Communications)

Côtes de Bordeaux to the Rescue
Wineries in the larger region of Bordeaux have wised up and have started to cooperate to take advantage of strength in numbers. Five communities in the affordable area of the Right Bank (generally Merlot-centric) have banded together under a new appellation name to increase their recognition. What originally were named Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de Franc, Sainte-Foy and Premiere Côtes de Bordeaux will now all be included under the umbrella of Côtes de Bordeaux. You may still see their individual village, but know that they are all working together to increase their identity. I think their nickname is perfect: “Bordeaux in Blue Jeans.” In my previous visit to Bordeaux I did not make it to this region, I hope to correct that on my next trip!

These wines are all made to be enjoyed today, no need to cellar them for 20+ years. They are priced to be affordable for us regular people, and there are even wines which will appeal to a wine drinker more accustomed to California than Saint-Emilion. The wineries in this area tend to be family owned. They share similar soil to the more famous Right Bank regions, a mix of clay & limestone. The dominant grape is Merlot, but as in all of Bordeaux, the wines are blends of the typical Bordeaux grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Petit Verdot and Malbec. I noticed more use of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Côtes de Bordeaux compared with Saint Emilion and Pomerol.  Perhaps the climate is just enough warmer to allow Cabernet Sauvignon a better chance of ripening? Whites are less well known, but equally delicious. The white wines are blends as well, highlighting Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Côtes de Bordeaux accounts for approximately 10% of all of Bordeaux’s production.

French Winophiles Group Explores Bordeaux for Everyday Enjoyment
Thanks to our friends at Teuwen Communications, our French #Winophiles group is sampling affordable wines from Bordeaux this month. Cruise down further in this post to see a whole group of great ideas for your weeknight Bordeaux pleasure! (click on any photo for a full size slide show, hit escape to return)

Our French Winophiles group sampled a variety of wines. I had both blanc and rouge wines, traditional and modern.

Bordeaux Blanc wines are made primarily of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. They are excellent with seafood oriented dishes. Think about how close Bordeaux is to the ocean!

Côtes de Bordeaux at grillside

We tested two Côtes de Bordeaux wines with a porcini rubbed tenderloin with a barley/asparagus/radish salad

Traditional and modern Côtes de Bordeaux wines with porcini rubbed tenderloin

Chateau Couronneau on a weekday evening grill of lamb chops, broccoli and oven baked sweet potato fries

Easy to drink, easy on the pocketbook. Côtes-de-Bordeaux wines are ready to go!

The Wines
Disclosure: Wines for this post were provided as samples by Teuwen Communications.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Chateau Peybonhomme-les-Tours “Le Blanc Bonhomme” (sample, $20 SRP)

Tech notes from the winery:
Producer fifth generation brother and sister Guillaume and Rachel Hubert operate Château Peybonhomme-Les-Tours. They farm the estate and make the wines themselves, and represent the largest certified biodynamic estate in Blaye. The blend is 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Semillon and is listed at 13.5% abv

Jeff’s tasting notes:
Eye: Clear, medium lemon yellow a touch on the warm side (color)
Nose: Clean, stony. Impression of rain on pavement, a bit of butter (only noticed because we tasted this vs. Sancerre).
Mouth: Dry, medium intensity flavor, medium+ acid, but well buffered. Medium body medium alcohol, flavors still remind one of wet stones, white flowers, lemon rind in the background. Nice medium+ length finish.

Avocado shrimp bowls were a great choice for our Bordeaux Blanc

Paired beautifully with our avocado shrimp lettuce bowl. Creamy seafood was refreshed by a taste of the brightly acidic wine.

Château Paret Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux AOC 2015(sample, $11 SRP)
Tech notes from the winery:
“Situated at Saint Genès de Castillon facing the Puisseguin appellation, Château Paret has been family-owned since 1887. In 1988 that Philippe Fauchéy took charge of the vineyard. Geographically well placed bordering the vineyards of Saint-Emilion, the vines have the advantage of being planted in three distinct terroirs that give the wine its
special character. The tech note lists the wine as 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc with 14% abv

Jeff’s tasting notes:
Eye: Clear, ruby color with a cool rim. No staining, legs slow to form
Nose: Clean, medium- intensity. Nice clean fresh blue fruit, blueberries (fresh, not even frozen). More fruit than earth. A bit of violet flowers, a touch of clean leather.
Mouth: Dry, medium intensity, medium acidity, medium tannins. Nice clean tannins arrive in the mid-palate. Medium body, nice medium finish. Flavors include the nice fresh blue fruits, leather in the background, mature tannins in a nice medium finish. I get a sense of graphite/steel in both the nose and mouth. I read this as evidence of Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellent with the food.

Modern and traditional Côtes de Bordeaux wines with porcini rubbed tenderloin

We enjoyed the Chateau Paret and the Chateau Biac with a nice grilled tenderloin.  Two wines, both were in an everyday budget range. There was only one problem: Julie preferred the Cuvée Felix, Jeff preferred the Chateau Paret!

Château Biac Les Vignobles du Biac “Felix de Biac” Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux AOC 2014 (sample, $25 SRP)
Tech notes from the winery:
“A 17th-century estate, Château Biac is owned since 2006 by a Lebanese family The Asseilys. The 24-acre domaine is referred to as “Burgundy in Bordeaux,” a cluster of small vineyards each with its own, well-defined soil type and matching grape variety, root stock or clone.” The wine is aged 16 months in barrel and is described as a seductive “fruit wine” rather than “tannic and imposing”. Blend: 58% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 13.5%

Jeff’s tasting notes
Eye: Clear, medium ruby with a surprisingly warm edge. no staining
Nose: Clean, medium intensity. Candied blue and black fruit with clear cedar box, a touch of vanilla and cooking spices.
Mouth: Dry, medium intensity. Candied blueberries, muted vanilla and cedar box notes. Medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body with a medium finish.  Nice wine, a bit more international in style with nice fruit, a bit of oak influence with polish.

Chateau Couronneau – soon to be classified as Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux

Chateau Couronneau Bordeaux Superieur AOC 2015 (officially becomes Sainte Foy in 2016) (sample, $19 SRP)
Tech notes from the winery:
“Producer Christophe and Bénédicte Piat purchased the 98-acre estate in 1994. The soil is predominantly chalky clay. After intensive studies in the vineyards, castle and cellar, in 1999 they converted all vineyards into organic farming and in 2012 biodynamic farming was instituted. The wine is fermented and maceration in stainless steel vats. Aged in a mix of 125 L, 90 hl and Terra cotta vats for 10 months. Blend: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 14.5% abv.

Jeff’s tasting notes
Eye: clear, deep ruby with a narrow cool edge. plenty of legs, staining only in the legs.
Nose: clean, deep blue/black fruit. Ripe blueberries, blackberries, a touch of earth, leather. A bit of heat in the nose.
Mouth: Dry, medium acidity, medium+ tannins. Great structure. More earth than fruit, but nice and clean. Dark blue fruit, blueberries & a touch of leather. Tastes like it was aged in oak or concrete, but no overt oak (very nice). Expected a simple wine, this was a nice, traditional Bordeaux red with excellent restraint. Organic and biodynamic certified, delicious and all this for $19 a bottle!

Grill your favorite foods and open a bottle of Chateau Couronneau on a weekday evening!

The French Winophiles Sample Cotes de Bordeaux

• Robin of Crushed Grape Chronicles shares “Côtes de Bordeaux pairings through Blaye, Cadillac & Castillon”
• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla offers “Exploring the Côtes de Bordeaux with Simple, Salty, Spicy Nibbles”
• Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm shares “Celebrating the Warm Weather with Bordeaux”
• David from Cooking Chat brings us “Cheesy Beef Casserole with Wine from Côtes de Bordeaux”
• Nicole from Somm’s Table explores “2 oz Pours: 5 Nights of BDX”
• Martin from Enofylz Wine Blog offers “Côtes de Bordeaux: Your Go-To For Affordable, Approachable Bordeaux”
• Gwen from Wine Predator shares “Affordable French: Bordeaux and Burgers for #Winophiles”
• Rupal the Syrah Queen gives us “5 Reasons You Should Be Drinking Côtes de Bordeaux”
• Jill of L’Occasion offers a “Guide to the Wines of Côtes de Bordeaux”
• Lynn of Savor the Harvest shares “Côtes de Bordeaux: A Chateau Carsin Surprise”
• Jeff at FoodWineClick! shares “Drinking Tuesday Night Bordeaux”
• Liz Barrett of What’s In That Bottle helps us with “Get to Know Côtes de Bordeaux ”
• Lauren from The Swirling Dervish offers “Côtes de Bordeaux: Why It Should Be on Your Wine Shopping List”
• Amber of Wine Travel Eats gives us “Salmanazar – Côtes de Bordeaux”
• Michelle of Rockin Red Blog shares “Drinking Bordeaux in Blue Jeans”

Please join the Winophiles chat on the Côtes de Bordeaux Saturday, May 19 at 10am CDT on Twitter. Look for the hashtags #winophiles and #cotesdebdxspring.  We will discuss wine, food pairings, culture, and the region. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the chat