Hi! I’m looking for bordeaux producers that make bordeaux wine that are bit lighter, less rich and more transparent in colour in comparison to most bordeaux wine (I guess you could say less “extracted”).
I’ve had a few examples of this style, but the only one I can remember is Chateau Pavie Macquin Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. I read that Le Pin is supposed to be resemble this style but that is not really in my budget.
Can you give me any recommendations?
Cheers
I do not think Pavie Macquin or Le Pin fall in that style at all, not even close.
With the more modern direction of so much of the region, plus the spate of very warm years of recent note - think 09, 10, 15, 18, et al - finding a wine along the lines of what you seek is becoming harder and harder to do. I strongly recommend backfilling if that is what you want in Bordeaux. I do.
The first wine that popped into my head when I read your post was Chateau Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre. You will find notes all over this cite about this throw-back estate. Google also the excellent articles by William Kelley and Neal Martin on this estate. This one is what you seek, I think.
Other wines of note:
Chateau Magdelaine
Chateau Corbin Michotte
Chateau Le Carmes Haut Brion (pre-2012) - older ones show on WineBid from time to time, there is a 2000 right now
I am also big on Chateau Ferriere. The 2016 and 2019 are smokin, but more to your post, track down 2000 and 1995. JJ Buckley had some recently
I second Magdelaine. I look for wines that fit your description and have more Magdelaine than any other. For some reason, although it no longer exists, there seem to be plenty of bottles in the UK and Europe. (If you need help locating, PM me)
Others Figeac pre 2012, Issan still making great wines, Ducru at a higher price point. Their second wine also worth looking for.
While Robert and my experiences usually gel, I have not had great experiences with Bel Aligre, with a couple of corked bottles and mediocre ones too. I have only tasted 1995 and 1996 but perhaps other vintages will give a better showing.
What about Pipeau?
I might add 2000 Cantenac Brown.
If that is the style you seek, why stay in Bordeaux?
It’s a bit like saying “I like Napa wines that are not full bodied, oaky, ripe and fruit forward”.
Try Kirwan
I was with you until I got to your stated example.
I’m with Robert on this one: Pavie Macquin is nowhere close to meeting the criteria you describe in the first part of your post.
So, my question for you is this: are you looking for “bordeaux wine that are bit lighter, less rich and more transparent in colour in comparison to most bordeaux wine”, or are you looking for other bottlings that are similar to Pavie Macquin?
Tomas… For what you’re seeking, your best bet is less ripe vintages and estates in better appellations that receive low critic scores.
I’ve had some rather elegant Giscours and some Chateau Meyney that hit on the medium bodied element. Not sure how the new vintages are, but I would agree with Jeff that I would go with cooler vintages, especially where acid levels are high… if such a thing exists now in Bordeaux.
As an example, we had an '82 Giscours a few weeks ago that was ephemeral and elegant. While it was great, its not really what I think about when I want to drink a Bordeaux.
Really?
Any particular years?
Those are the best!
2014 was very pretty, maybe 50% oak. Might be too clean for you, though
Yes, absolutely!
I agree with all the recommendations, to which I would add Clos du Jaugueyron and possibly Durfort-Vivens (only “possibly” because I have not tried any recent ones), but Mikko’s right - why not try some Loire reds, which sound right up your street?
Mikko, what areas do you recommend for cooler climate, lighter Bordeaux blends?
I agree with the Loire Cab Franc recommendation, of course, but not necessarily with the commentary to go look elsewhere outside of Bordeaux instead. Heck, the OP posted a style of wine that you and I Chase, Julian! As much as I love Loire CF, it is not Bordeaux. There is a notable difference. Some wines get close, but still not the same. And while I have a lot of Loire in my cellar, Bordeaux remains my largest represented wine region.
Jaugaret or Clos Jaugueyron, also maybe Gloria?
You’re right! Bordeaux is not the Loire, but one of the reasons I got increasingly hooked by the Loire was the scarcity of the style of wine the OP, like ourselves, is looking for, in Bordeaux. Jeff’s tongue-in-cheek comment about less ripe/low scoring wines is not that silly - but how many less than ripe vintages have there been recently?! In any case, the vintage conditions are not the issue: if Monsieur Boyer could produce balanced, 12.5° wines even in 2003 and 2010, anybody could have. Hopefully, things are changing for the better now and we’re finally leaving the overripe stuff in the past.
Morey-St. Denis
I agree that good Loire Cab Franc is a great place to look. It’s much easier to get this style there than in Bordeaux.
Also agree on Chateau Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre. It’s probably the most fitting that I’ve had.
