Bordeaux virgin seeking advice

[Lisa Meidl]

I have never tasted Bordeaux and I feel as though I am missing out on something special. I am not what you would call an experienced wine drinker, more like a dabbler. I have a deep apprieciation for fine wines, but dont usually select a fancy label unless I am familiar with it. I will rarely try something new without first getting advice, opinions or some form of guidance on the product first from someone who knows what to look for. I am not yet ready for anything too high priced as I have growing kids, and pretty much everything I make in money keeps them in clothes and shoes so I have a small to moderate budget. Any tips or comments and advice are welcome.

[Wilfred Yu]

Marsau
Moulin St.George
Joanin Becot
Monbosquet
La Vielle Cure

[Christer Byklum]

Dalem
Clos Floridene
Lilian Ladouys
Bel Orme Tronquoy Lalande
Fonreaud
La Cardonne
Chasse Spleen
Cantemerle
Poujeaux
Meyney
Cissac
Labegorce
Labegorce Zede
Potensac
Camensac

[Keith Prothero]

There are many very good value Bordeaux Lisa.
Would suggest Clos Floridene for white and Meyney,Poujeaux and Potensac for red although any suggested above are also very good value for money .

[Jeff Leve]

Hi Lisa... As you can see, you are already getting a lot of good advice. We all have to start someplace. Bordeaux is a huge wine region. They produce wine in every style and price. One of the things Bordeaux does best is, they produce great wine, in large amounts for reasonable prices that are on average $15-$35. The best values come from areas like Cotes de Castillon, Fronsac and many of the small communities that are situated in the Right Bank, close to St. Emilion. Most of those wines are dominated by Merlot. You can read about them here http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/...-appellations/

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There are numerous strong choices for between $10 and $20 sold as Bordeaux Superieur. Some of these wines offer amazing values. They are what I have my father and other friends buy. You can read about them in the same link.

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There are also very strong wines made in St. Emilion for $25-$40 that while more than wines from the satellite regions, they are stellar wines. You can read about St. Emilion here... http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/...ux/st-emilion/
2008 Bordeaux wines are starting to arrive at local stores now. The vintage produced several nice wines, especially for the price. St. Emilion in that vintage offers some great value wines. You can read about 20008 Bordeaux here http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/...ews-left-bank/

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If you try any of the wines people have recommended to you, please let us know what wines you liked, and also what wines you did not care for.

[Philippe Larche]

Oh gosh, yes, there are so many attractive and non-expensive "petits chateaux" in Bordeaux. They were not very present on the US market until...2-3 years ago, but with crisis passing by, and people being after more and more good value, they are steadily coming to the US now. Jeff, hopefully you can come to our Vintex tasting on Sunday 3rd, and this is exactly what we'll be showing !
So, Lisa, can you take a plane to Bordeaux on April 3rd ??

[Howard Cooper]

One wine I have enjoyed that should meet your criteria is Chateau Haut Segottes. The 2004 should be drinking very well right now.

Also, over the past couple of years, I have found some very good Bordeaux being sold at relatively low prices. For example, I found 2004 Talbot and Sociando Mallet about a year ago for $30 a bottle.

Where do you live? We can probably provide help with regard to local merchants.

[Lisa Meidl]

Thank you for the kind invite Philippe, unfortunately though, I'm affraid I wont be able to attend at this time...

[Lisa Meidl]

Howard, I live in Salinas Ca, thats in Monterey county...I would love to give Chateau Haut Segottes a try. Thank you so much

[Lisa Meidl]

Thank you Jeff, I do appreciate all the great advice, and everyone's responses. I will for sure be posting my favorites, and non favorites, sometime here in the near future...until then Cheers!!!...Salute'!!!... and L'chaim!!!

[Lisa Meidl]

Thank you Kieth, I will look for those...can these be found in most specialty wine shops?...Or is it something I need to special order?

[Lisa Meidl]

Thank you Christer, this quite a list, I look forward to the sampling of these!...Much appreciated!!!

[Lisa Meidl]

Thank you Wilfred, of these, which one do you prefer?...I am taking baby steps here...and, as it turns out, I have a long list of suggestions, of which I'm looking forward to trying out...Your post being the first, I would be honored if you would tell me which one you like best. Thanks again

[David Pian]

Lisa, of all the value-driven Bordeaux wines I've tried so far, two of my absolute favorite are Valrose and Reignac. Both of them are under $30 retail, and both of them drink like $80 bottles. Again, like Jeff said, even within the Bordeaux region, there still are stylistic differences. It totally depends on your own preferences, and definitely go with what your palate tells you. Good luck and I hope you've enjoyed your adventure with Bordeaux wines so far. Let me know if you like the wines I recommended.

[Lisa Meidl]

Thank you so much David....I will absolutely let you know. Where would I be able to find Valrose and Reignac???