Bordeaux is home to many of the most famous and expensive wines in the world. But it’s a huge region, and also produces wines that dramatically overperform their pricetag. One of our favorite places to find value in Bordeaux is at the Cru Bourgeois level.
This Médoc classification, revived in 2010, is earned each year, and awarded based on the quality of the wine rather than the name of the chateau. Of the few hundred cuvées awarded the status each year, the best include, to quote Vinous’s Neal Martin, “a clutch of fabulous wines that I bet could be sneaked into a blind tasting of Grand Cru Classé and nobody would notice.”
Today’s wine is a case in point: a no-brainer everyday Bordeaux for $5/glass.
Now after six years on from harvest, the 2016 Cru Bourgeois from Chateau Ramafort well overperforms its billing. The 50/50 Cab/Merlot blend is a younger, fresher take on the terroir, but one with silky tannins and a perfectly balanced texture.
Martin awarded 91 points, finding “a very attractive bouquet with blackberry, briary and cedar aromas.” He went on to find “fine grain tannin” and a “silky finish,” before concluding finally “Yes, yes, yes!” The bottle we opened on Saturday at our warehouse was a hit: smooth and quietly delicious. Pair with a weeknight burger.
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Ramafort Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2016
bottle price: $25
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES