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Bordeaux Reds Sampler
6-Pack
If you travel to any of the right-bank properties featured in this sampler, hoping to see grand estates or castles, you will be disappointed. “Château” features in the names of most Bordelais domaines, but, except for a few properties, it is meaningless, the vestige of a historical naming system. The more agrarian, less aristocratic “domaine” would be more helpful in understanding the work and lifestyles of the vignerons at Gombaude-Guillot, Bellevue, and Moulin Pey-Labrie, who for years have been on the vanguard of progressive, organic agriculture, which is still uncommon in this renowned region. Their buildings are modest, and the families who work in and outside of them are focused, above all else, on agriculture and making Merlot-based reds that speak to their specific terroirs.
This sampler features one older and one newer vintage from each of the three families behind these domaines, and the three different appellations they represent. Although all lie within a mere twenty-mile radius, each bottling diverges from the next. They range from Gombaude-Guillot’s classic, mineral, and generous Pomerol, with notes of black currant, truffle, and cocoa, to Château de Bellevue’s chiseled, restrained, age-worthy Lussac Saint-Emilion, which evokes bright, red berries and might be the value of the decade. Even the two Canon Fronsacs from markedly different plots owned by the Hubau family are entirely distinct from each other—the 2015 giving a lithe, juicy rouge and the 2010 a dense, savory wine, a meal unto itself! With this sampler, you will realize that vibrant, terroir-driven wines from small family domaines are just as essential—if not more—to Bordeaux’s identity as those imposing, picture-book châteaux.
—Tom Wolf
This item is not eligible for discounts |
Wine Type: | sampler |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Country: | France |
Normally $270.00 SPECIAL SAMPLER PRICE $216.00 (a 20% discount) |
2012 Lussac Saint-Emilion • Château de Bellevue $26.00
2015 Lussac Saint-Emilion • Château de Bellevue $30.00
2010 Canon Fronsac • Château Moulin Pey-Labrie $46.00
2015 Canon Fronsac • Château Moulin $29.00
2011 Pomerol • Château Gombaude-Guillot $85.00
2016 Pomerol “Pom ‘N’ Roll • Château Gombaude-Guillot $54.00
More from this Producer or Region
2016 Canon Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
You may find it to be leaner and livelier than the rich, plush Merlots of Pomerol and Saint Emilion
2020 Bordeaux Sec “Les Clous”
France | Bordeaux
It has the nerve and precision of the Définition cuvée along with additional weight and structure.
2020 Fronsac “Les Piverts”
France | Bordeaux
Made without added sulfur, a transparent reflection of Merlot grown in the limestone and clay of Fronsac
2017 Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
The incredible depth, power, and fine but grippingly youthful tannins are text-book Pomerol
2022 Graves Blanc HALF BOTTLE
France | Bordeaux
There could be no better way to enjoy this crisp, invigorating Graves than with a platter of fresh seafood.
2017 Lalande-de-Pomerol
France | Bordeaux
A generous wine dominated by ripe black fruit with very supple, approachable tannins.
2015 Haut-Médoc
France | Bordeaux
A structured, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon for the ages.
2016 Fronsac
France | Bordeaux
There is nothing overdone in this chiseled, elegant cuvée made from organically grown and pampered Merlot.
2020 Atlantique Blanc “Déclinaison”
France | Bordeaux
Artisanal white Bordeaux like you have never tasted before!
2022 Graves Blanc
France | Bordeaux
Whatever snacks are on your table or picnic blanket, this blanc will fit the bill with its pretty notes of green apple, citrus, and subtle tropical fruits.
About The Region
Bordeaux
Often considered the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux and its wines have captured the minds, hearts, and wallets of wine drinkers for centuries. For many, the wines provide an inalienable benchmark against which all other wines are measured.
Bordeaux is divided into three winegrowing regions with the city that gives the region its name in the near geographical center. The “right bank,” or the area located east of the Dordogne River, produces wines that are predominantly Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The “left bank” is located to the west of the Garonne River and produces wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The third region, Entre-Deux-Mers, lies between both rivers and produces white wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. Though technically in the left bank, it is worth noting the appellation of Sauternes, which produces arguably the world’s most famous sweet wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle as well.
Though many top Bordeaux wines are sold en primeur (in advance of their bottling) and often through a middleman known as a negoçiant, Kermit has always preferred to purchase directly from the winemaker. For more than three decades he has sought out small producers, who make classic Bordeaux wines and are willing to play outside the negoçiant system. This ethic has led to longstanding relationships, excellent prices, and perhaps most important—wines of great value and longevity.
More from Bordeaux or France
2021 Bordeaux Blanc “Définition”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2020 Atlantique Blanc “Déclinaison”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2010 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc HALF BOTTLE
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2017 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Blanc “Les Joualles”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2017 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2016 Fronsac
Château Haut-Lariveau France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol “Pom ‘N’ Roll”
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2021 Bordeaux Blanc “Définition”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2020 Atlantique Blanc “Déclinaison”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2010 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2022 Graves Blanc HALF BOTTLE
Château Graville-Lacoste France | Bordeaux
2017 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2020 Bordeaux Blanc “Les Joualles”
Domaine de l’Alliance France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
2017 Lalande-de-Pomerol
Château Belles-Graves France | Bordeaux
2016 Fronsac
Château Haut-Lariveau France | Bordeaux
2019 Pomerol “Pom ‘N’ Roll”
Château Gombaude-Guillot France | Bordeaux
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117