I was combing through the archives, looking for some suggestions on mid-range Bordeaux for weekday drinking, when I came across this thread from 2019 that seemed like just the kind of information I was looking for:
Unfortunately, now five years later, most of the suggestions I looked up have blown through the $50 range. For example, here are some of the common suggestions that I’ve seen in that thread and others, with their current pricing at my local shop:
Gloria ($65)
Giscours ($85)
Cantemerle ($50) (Still hanging in there!)
Langoa Barton ($80)
Meyney ($76)
Cantenac Brown ($75)
La Dame de Montrose ($65)
Those are all some great wines, but they are starting to get a little expensive for everyday drinking, at least for me.
So I’m asking for everyone’s suggestions again. What are your favorite Bordeaux in that $20 to $50 range today?
I don’t know what BAARP stands for, but if I missed a relevant thread, please point me at it. I’d be happy to read up, rather that rehash something that was recently tackled.
Your local shop sucks! Most of those wines you list can be bought for $50 or less. Or some just a smidge more. Google is your friend!
In this field, I like:
Ferriere
Haut Bages Liberal
La Dame Montrose
Langoa Barton
D’Issan
Cantemerle
Moulin St Georges
Tronquoy Lalande
Chasse Spleen
Poujeaux
Jean Faure
Sociando
Lanessan
Lagrange
I have bought most of these in 2016 and 2019 and am picking up some from 2020. Many I also bought in 2014.
Amen! Sadly, Indiana seems to have more limited options than neighboring states (particularly Illinois), and prices are usually higher on the wines that are available. But on the other hand, we have really good sweet corn, so…
I’m in the same boat in Atlanta, Total has the best selection but the prices are pretty bad. I walked an independent shop that supposedly had the best selection and the prices were as bad or worse.
Prices in the OP all seem pretty high to me, with some sleuthing you can find a lot of those for under $50. Agree with a lot of what’s been said and off the top of my head, adding:
Malartic Lagraviere
Latour Martillac
Capbern
Ormes de Pez
Phelan Segur
Lilian Ladouys
Those are my favorite. Any of 2018, 2019, 2020 you cannot go wrong (I have 5-8 of each vintage)
Tour St. Christophe - I visited the winery last year. Nicest people.
Sansonnet
Ducru-Beaucaillou La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou
Poesia (needs 8-10 hours breathing to open)
Look at the satellite appellations such as Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol, Cotes de Castillon. Many superb wines to be had for very attractive prices and often Merlot dominated so not it need of long cellaring. Medoc and Haut Medoc many options too.
Wines I often liked are Joanin Becot, ´d Aiguilhe, La Dauphine, Les Cruzelles, (from Left Bank now) Lousteaneuf, Senejac, Capbern, Lilian Ladouys. Look for good vintages such as 2016, 2019, 2020. And some second wines from Crus Classée can be a good deal too. Certainly not the ones from Lafite etc. because way to expensive.
Even at $20 to $50, I tend to look for bottles with some age and maturity. I don’t expect to find the classed growth stuff at 20 to 50 bucks today, but if I can find the likes of Chasse Spleen, the Poujeoux, the d’Armahaillac, the Potensac, the Phelan Segur, etc, with 20+ years of age, then I prefer to gamble a bit.
