Bordeaux Month 2026 Sampler #2 - Intro to Bordeaux Rouge

Château Pilet 2022 (Entre-deux-Mers) – Sourced from a century-old family estate on the hillsides overlooking the Garonne, this blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc is a textbook example of accessible, fruit-driven Bordeaux. The 2022 vintage yielded a juicy profile marked by vibrant notes of strawberries and redcurrants. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, striking a classic balance between its lightly rustic tannins and a fresh, fruity core.

Château de Parenchère 2022 (Bordeaux Supérieur) – Located at the easternmost edge of the region, this property utilizes deep clay-limestone soils to produce wines of notable density. This flagship cuvée, a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, reveals a concentrated nose of plums, cloves, and tobacco. It is a full and fleshy wine with a firmly structured texture and a dry core of tannins cushioned by black currant fruit, built to integrate beautifully over the next several years.

Château Grand Jean 2022 (Bordeaux Supérieur) – Representing the modern spirit of the Dulon family, this selection features an uncommonly high 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Malbec. The 2022 vintage showcases a bold aromatic profile of cassis, red liquorice, and espresso, influenced by a unique aging process in both French and American oak. It is a medium-bodied red with an opaque ruby color and approachable tannins, offering a spicy and toasty character that sets it apart from more traditional regional blends.

Château Moulin des Graves 2023 (Saint-Émilion) – This artisanal Right Bank wine comes from the Musset family’s hand-harvested vines, many of which exceed 35 years of age. The 2023 blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc is matured for 12 months in French oak, resulting in a deep garnet robe and a fresh nose of red fruits and violets. The palate is round and well-structured, featuring silky tannins and a persistent, elegant finish that highlights the refinement of the Saint-Émilion terroir.

Château Les Grands Maréchaux 2019 (Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux) – A standout from the legendary 2019 vintage, this estate benefits from the technical guidance of consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. The blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is opulent and perfumed, offering a complex mix of black cherries, licorice, and a touch of chocolate. It is a round, soft-textured red that provides remarkable depth and a textured, spicy finish, representing the gold standard for value in the Côtes de Bordeaux.

Château de Panigon 2018 (Médoc) – Anchoring the set is this Cru Bourgeois from a historic estate situated on gravel mounds near the Gironde estuary. The 2018 vintage, a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, reflects the richness and concentration of a great year. Now entering its ideal drinking window, the wine displays savory notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, and toasted cedar supported by well-integrated, velvety tannins and a classic graphite finish.