Bordeaux Month 2026 Sampler #3 - "Next Level" Bordeaux Rouge

Chateau Puygueraud 2018 (Francs Côtes de Bordeaux) From the talented Thienpont family, this 2018 selection is a masterclass in the potential of Bordeaux’s Right Bank satellites. Dominated by Merlot with a supportive touch of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, it presents a lush and perfumed profile. You will find intense aromas of black cherry, violets, and blue fruits, backed by a savory, mineral edge and a spicy finish. The warmth of the 2018 vintage provides ample flesh on the palate, while the clay-limestone soils of the estate maintain a necessary freshness and structural integrity.

Chateau Cormeil-Figeac 2018 (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru) This historic estate, managed by the Moreaud family, produced a powerful and dense wine in 2018 that perfectly illustrates the opulence of Saint-Émilion. It is a savory and classic blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, offering generous layers of plum, blackcurrant, and dark chocolate. The tannins are firm yet velvety, providing a rock-solid frame for the ripe fruit and hints of tobacco leaf. This is a serious, full-bodied bottle that captures the sun-drenched character of the vintage while remaining elegantly balanced.

Chateau Lespault-Martillac 2019 (Pessac-Léognan) Under the careful management of the de Launane family, Lespault-Martillac has become a benchmark for the Graves region. The 2019 vintage is remarkably seamless, showcasing the smoky, earthy minerality that defines Pessac-Léognan. It opens with notes of redcurrant, sandalwood, and sappy tobacco, leading into a medium-bodied palate with bags of juicy black fruit and a refreshing, peppery kick. This wine is approachable today but possesses the refined structure to evolve beautifully over the next decade.

Chateau Potensac 2020 (Médoc) Owned by the Delon family of Chateau Léoville Las Cases, Potensac is often referred to as a "Grand Cru in disguise." The 2020 vintage is a chiseled, high-energy wine featuring a significant percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. It delivers a classic Médoc profile of lead pencil, crushed stone, and racy black currants. The palate is linear and focused, with polished tannins and a refreshing sprig of mint on the finish, representing the cooling influence of the Gironde estuary and the precision of modern winemaking.

Chateau d’Arsac 2019 (Margaux) Representing the southern Médoc, this estate-bottled Margaux is noted for its elegance and floral perfume. The 2019 blend is heavily weighted toward Cabernet Sauvignon, resulting in a wine with lithe tannins and a vibrant bouquet of crushed violets and potpourri. On the palate, it offers a refreshing mix of cassis and redcurrant jelly, infused with tobacco and minty notes. It is a soft and sophisticated expression of Margaux that balances fruit intensity with a graceful, earthy finish.

Chateau Les Ormes 2018 (Saint-Julien) Produced from a small 12-hectare family property, this Saint-Julien emphasizes perfume and balance. It is a classic Left Bank blend that highlights the gravelly terroir of the region. The nose is dominated by dark cherries, licorice, and cedar, while the palate is medium to full-bodied with layers of black plum and a savory herbal edge. The 2018 harvest produced fully ripe fruit with excellent concentration, resulting in a finish that is long, caressing, and underscored by a distinct mineral tension.