WINE OF THE WEEK - 2016 Chateau Bourdieu No. 1

This week, I’m actually not my usual cheerful self. The latest emergency lock down in Ontario is looming large in my mind. I’m not exactly happy with this never ending nightmare. But it is what it is….at least, there’s wine and of course, Wine Wednesday, Wineitupanotch style!  

If you’re a regular reader of the blog, you’ll know that every week on Wednesday, I look forward to foraging through the shelves of my local liquor store, on a treasure hunt to hopefully uncover a cool and formerly unfamiliar wine to share with you!  

The special thing here is that if and when I find something good, it’s a wine that you too can actually purchase because it is readily available at the time of writing this blog post entry!  I love this because all too often, you read a review about a great wine and then can’t actually find it, which can be so annoying.  If you want to know more about why and how I do this, be sure to read this blog post where I outline my approach to my weekly Wine Wednesday picks.

Now I’d be remiss not to point out that because I’m located in Ontario, Canada and I buy my wines for the Wine of the Week feature from the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario).  

However, the wines I pick are generally widely available in most major markets and online too. So if you like what you read, you should be able to find the wine wherever you like to shop.  

For the convenience of readers who are located in Ontario, I always provide the LCBO Product Number, and a direct link to the LCBO website, in my reviews.

And with that, let’s get into this week’s pick!

---

2016 Chateau Bourdieu No. 1

This week’s wine comes from a large-ish sub-appellation of Bordeaux, called Blayes Cotes de Bordeaux. It is an affordable Merlot-driven blend that is firm and structured. Read on to learn what you need to know about this wine.

What does this wine cost?

$19.95/bottle.

Where does this wine come from?

The Cotes de Bordeaux appellation, which includes multiple geographic denominations, was created in 2009 in an effort to bring multiple smaller wine-making areas in Bordeaux together in order to pool resources and also improve their marketability on a global scale.

This wine comes from the Blayes Cotes de Bordeaux AOC, which is situated on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, across from the Medoc. The landscape is hilly here and the soils are diverse. There are approximately 6000 hectares of planted vineyard in this geographic denomination, which is located right around the town of Blayes.

The red wines from Blayes Cotes de Bordeaux AOC are made primarily from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. White wines are also produced here.

Who makes this wine?

Chateau Bourdieu is a family owned estate with a rather sweet story. The property was purchased by its current owner, Luc Schweitzer, because he used to drive by it every week as a child on his way to boarding school.

Luc, a seasoned winegrower, has made significant upgrades to, and investments, in the estate since acquiring it in 1993. It is now run by himself and his two sons.

The estate consists of 75 hectares of owned land. The Schweitzer family aim to take a natural and sustainable approach with their viticulture practices.

Is this wine unique?

No, not in the way that other wines that I review can be. At the end of the day, this is a fairly standard Bordelais wine.

A few Wine Geek “essential facts” about the wine (feel free to skip this if you don’t care about detailed wine-making information!):

Variety - 89% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec

Vine Age - 35 years

Soil type - Clay, limestone and gravel

ABV - 14%

Residual Sugar - 4 g/L

My tasting notes:

A very rich and dark maroon in the glass, this wine is well perfumed with notes of black fruit, red fruit, baking spices and spring garden florals. On the palate, the wine displays plums, blackberries, cinnamon, vanilla and bitter nuts alongside a very dry core. The wine has a medium finish and medium tannins, which are balanced by decent acidity. The wine definitely needs to be aerated for a few hours, and ideally consumed with food.

Aging potential:

This wine can be aged for 3-5 years.

Recommendations to Wineitupanotch:

Pair this wine with roasted or charred red meat for optimal results. It also goes well with cured meats on a charcuterie platter.

Wineitupanotch Wine Score: 85 points

This is a firm and full bodied wine which may not be for everyone given its assertive profile. Having said that, it is a nice wine for a casual dinner with friends and family and represents a great entry point into Bordeaux wines.

If you’re located in Ontario, and wish to purchase this wine, you can find it at the LCBO under Product #18691.

FINAL VERDICT:

I’m not sure whether I am all the way there with a full on recommendation to try this wine. It didn’t wow me like that. But I do think it is a well priced option for entry level Bordeaux for more casual events or gatherings, especially if paired with dishes that can stand up to the firm structure of this wine.

If you’ve tried this wine already, or decide to pick it up and try it after reading this post, I’d love to hear from you and hear what you think of it! Please do drop me a line.

Until next time, wishing you love, light and of course - good wine! :)

Cheers!

---

---

Other Recent Wine of the Week Reviews