Monica's Picks: Bordeaux Wines for Fall

As the nights get cooler and the leaves start to change color, my thoughts turn to wines that are more serious and studious.  We can enjoy the back-to-school mentality of the fall season by sharpening our minds through learning and exploring. There are a number of ways to educate ourselves and we can begin by choosing wines that are outside of our normal palate zone.  Bordeaux is a great way to begin the adventure.  Bordeaux is not a grape, but rather a region in France that produces the world's most expensive and sought-after wines.  Red wine dominates, but gorgeous white wines and the most famous dessert wine, Sauternes, are produced.  The red wines are either Cabernet Sauvignon based blends or Merlot based blends depending on where the vineyards are located along the Gironde estuary and its rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne.  The left bank comprises the Medoc and its communes where the most famous chateaux reside and are largely Cabernet based because of the limestone gravel soil.  The right bank has less glitterati and is more rustic (yet contains the most famous Ch. Petrus) and is dominated by the Merlot grape, which can ripen on clay soil.  However, each wine is typically a blend and the rulings are such that a single grape varietal is not listed on the label.  Beginning on the left bank, Chateau Labegorce 2009, located in the seductive commune of Margaux is a classic representation of left bank Bordeaux.  It has a beautiful perfume and a sleek texture.  It is medium to full-bodied with aromas and flavors of ripe currants, blackberries and plums with floral notes all knitted together by well-structured tannins that give depth and structure.  It is an elegant wine worth every penny.  As for the less prestigious right bank, there is great excitement with many wines emerging of great value. The 2008 Chateau d'Aiguilhe is located in Cotes de Castillon just to the east of St-Emilion.  It is 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc.  It is an inky, purple color due to its month long maceration.  Both black and blue fruits emerge with sweet tannins and a round texture on the palate.  There is an impressive length to this wine that is satisfying now and will give enjoyment over the next five to seven years.  Have fun expanding your knowledge and taste profile.  For further education, you can join me on October 3rd to learn about wine styles through tasting. ~Monica McCall

2008 Chateau d'Aiguilhe Cotes de Castillon 

2009 Chateau Labegorce Margaux 

2009 Chateau le Crock 

2009 Chateau Saint Andre Corbin Saint Georges-St Emilion