Friday Sips

Over the past 3+ years we have mentioned the who, where, why and how of the new excitement of Bordeaux. Yes, classified growth wines are still spectacular but they are definitely sniffing glue and/or huffing gas when it comes to pricing. The entire brilliance of what's going down with smaller Chateaux that are committed to top farming and winemaking aspects in both famed regions and the satellite regions is quite impressive. Often is the case that one can obtain a terrific bottle that not only drinks well early, but one that can also age well without having to break the bank.

Chateau Lyonnat is located in the village of Lussac, one of 4 satellite regions of St-Emilion and one that is considered to be the most robust of the group. A generous, lush offering from one of the dynamic duo that we are featuring, this wine reveals ripe notes of cherry, deep plum, leather, mineral and subtle cocoa powder. On the palate intense berry notes are joined nicely with red earth, followed by vanilla/espresso notes from the thoughtfully placed French oak. Very satisfying now and will develop and provide pleasure through 2020+.

Pessac-Leognan is an appellation within the Graves region that is reserved for the top estates and best terroirs. In existence since 1780, Château Picque Caillou is located in a very respectable neighborhood that's situated in close proximity to 2 famed Graves Chateaux, Haut-Brion and Pape-Clement.

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and a worthy, if not greater, successor to the vaunted 2009! An intense ruby red that is best described as elegantly persuasive. Fine spice, cassis and blackberry shine against a backdrop of licorice and violet. The palate is exquisitely balanced, concentrated, yet still youthful and rambunctious. Ripe berries and briary tones kick in on the entry and give way to alluring chocolate and tobacco tones that spread out on the finish and follow through with pepper and cinnamon. There is good appeal and charm to this wine now, and is one that will do well through 2022+.

Canon-Fronsac is a hidden gem that lies within lands of greatness. Just southwest of St-Emilion and 5 kilometers from the Pomerol plain, this is an area where many small producers are able to excel. Chateau Mazeris has been quite a terrific find and epitomizes the term "boutique winery" with a mere 8,300 case production.

Chalk-driven soils with clay outcroppings, this wine is quite handsome, possessing dense aromas of blue fruits, forward mineral/ironstone, graphite and spiced earth. More and more aromatic as it unfurls in the glass, everything comes together nicely on the silky but structured texture that extends and fans out on the deceptively packed, lingering finish. This is right bank Bordeaux personified and a steal for 22 bucks. Drink this bad-boy through 2022.

Located between the towns of Beychevelle and St-Julien, just opposite famed 2nd Growth Ducru-Beaucaillou, Chateau Du Glana has a distinguished history. Founded in 1870 with the original 12 acres being from 4th Growth Chateau Saint-Pierre, Gabriel Meffre acquired the estate in 1961 and enlarged it to 112 acres with the acquisition of plots from 3rd Growth Chateau Lagrange. I have been experiencing and consuming Du Glana's wares since my old Pittsburgh days, cutting my teeth with the 1982 vintage. The wines have always been very fine but in 1999 with the arrival of renowned consultant Denis Dubordieu, top enology professor at the University of Bordeaux and who also consults at Cheval Blanc and Haut-Bailly, the wines here have hit heights that in certain vintages have the potential to perform on the classified growth level.

Just beneath 10,000 cases were produced in 2010 and what is in the bottle is very formidable indeed! 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot aged in 40% new oak and coming from the region's famed gravelly soils, this wine kills it and oozes serious class for 40 bucks! Textbook southern St-Julien cabernet notes ride out front with crushed black cherry, gravel, toasty, vanilla-bean character all leading into a succulent texture with excellent volume, definition, and a delicious core of fruit that fills the mouth and adds penetration to the fine tannin structure. Structured, firm and while dense enough to enjoy now, is the one that has the most potential. We'll definitely be decanting it today but no problem at all for this wine to age for another 15 (and probably more) years.