thewinesociety.com/bordeauxTCMAR16

To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux 01438 741177

BORDEAUX BEST BUYSBordeaux’s reputation has to a large extent been built on the top 50 or so châteaux that today drive the fine wine investment market. Yet it is amongst the many hundreds of so called petits châteaux that some of the best value can be found, if you know where to look.

This offer features some of my favourite clarets priced £21 and under and showcases the diversity of styles that Bordeaux has to offer, including wines from both the left and right banks, and with a particular emphasis on the excellent-value wines of the Côtes de Bordeaux. Look out for the mixed case from the Côtes de Castillon, next door to Saint-Emilion, which encapsulates all that is good about Bordeaux today and is an excellent entry point, or re-entry if you have not drunk Bordeaux recently.

The red wines, with one exception (a mature 2007), come from the three best vintages of the last few years, 2012, 2010 and 2009. All are ready for drinking and will provide immediate pleasure, but most will keep for two or three more years (longer where indicated).

The crisp and appetising whites from the excellent 2015 vintage are also worthy of note. Sauvignon blanc and semillon both performed well in 2015 and the wines are fresh and aromatic.

For more information on Bordeaux and its wines and producers please visit the Wine World & News section of thewinesociety.com

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Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

RedRoséDry whiteSweet white

KEYCôtes de Blaye

Blaye

Côtes de BourgBourg

FronsacCanon Fronsac

Lalande-de-PomerolPomerol

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Graves de Vayres

Lussac-Saint-ÉmilionMontagne-Saint-Émilion

Saint-Georges Saint-ÉmilionPuisseguin-Saint-ÉmilionSaint-ÉmilionSaint-Émilion grand cru

Francs Côtes de Bordeaux

Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

Entre-Deux-Mers

Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux

Bordeaux Haut-Benauge Entre-Deux-MersHaut-Benauge

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux

Cadillac

LoupiacSainte-Croix-du-Mont

Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire

Haut-Médoc

Margaux

MoulisListrac-Médoc

Saint-JulienPauillac

Saint-Estèphe

Médoc

Pessac-Léognan

GravesGraves Supérieures

Sauternes

CéronsBarsac

RED WINESNEW Château Frontenac, Bordeaux 2012Owned by the Messange family since the mid-19th century, Château Frontenac is a blend of 40% merlot and equal parts cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. The wine is supple and ripe with an attractive savoury note on the finish. 13.5% ref TC-CB4741£6.75 bottle £81 dozen

Château de Blissa, Côtes de Bourg 2012From a property located at Bayon sur Gironde, overlooking the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, this is an unoaked claret with classic merlot character to the fore. Juicy and appetising. 13%ref TC-CB4541£7.25 bottle £87 dozen

Château Canada, Bordeaux Supérieur 2012Château Canada is situated between the Côtes de Bourg and Fronsac appellations on a well-sited, gently sloping vineyard. A blend of 70% merlot and 30% cabernet sauvignon, the wine is fruity and generous with a touch of spice on the finish. 13.5% ref TC-CB4701 £7.25 bottle £87 dozen

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012 This family property is run according to strict sustainable viticultural practices. The wine is made predominantly from merlot, but there is 5% malbec in the blend, which adds structure and dark-fruit character. Juicy, modern-style claret. 13%ref TC-CB4621£8.50 bottle £102 dozen

Château Le Vieux Serestin, Médoc 2009This 23-hectare estate is situated at Couquecques in the northern Médoc. Vines are located on clay/chalky soils and the wine is made up of equal parts cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with small amounts of petit verdot and cabernet franc. The 2009 is rich and appealing with fine, ripe tannins. 13.5%ref TC-CM17831£8.75 bottle £105 dozen

Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2012Our second vintage of the Dubourdieu family’s second wine from Château Reynon. The vineyards are immaculately tended, the wine 100% succulent merlot, with around 20% new oak which does not dominate. Enjoy it for its fragrant perfume and supple fruit over the next three years. 13.5% ref TC-CB4581 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Tim Sykes Head of Buying

Château Labadie, Médoc 2009This cru bourgeois is situated outside Bégadan on chalky limestone and clay soil and is run like a mini cru classé. The wine is made by Jérome Bibey and the 2009 is a blend of 50% merlot, 42% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Made very much in the traditional style it will appeal to those who like a full, savoury claret with a touch of grip on the finish. Now to 2020. 13.5%ref TC-CM14791£10.50 bottle £126 dozen

NEW Château de Musset, Cuvée Première, Lalande de Pomerol 2010A classically styled, merlot-dominant claret from a 29-hectare property located near the village of Lalande de Pomerol. 2010 was an excellent vintage and the wine is starting to show its true colours. Ripe fruit flavours of black cherries and liquorice give way to a firm, cedary finish. Now to 2019. 14%ref TC-CS8801£10.95 bottle £131 dozen

NEW Château de Francs ‘Les Cerisiers’, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2009A dark, plummy and rich claret from the warm, ripe 2009 vintage. Please note the elevated alcohol level on this wine, which came in higher than normal but is balanced by rich cassis fruit, moderate acidity and velvety texture. A good accompaniment to a warming beef stew. Now to 2019. 15.5% ref TC-CS7751 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

Château Moulin du Bourg, Listrac-Médoc 2010 The second wine of Château Fourcas-Borie, renamed by new owners the Borie family of Ducru-Beaucaillou. The wine has an attractive perfumed cabernet nose and a smooth palate, with a clean fresh finish. Drink over the next year or so. 13.5% ref TC-CM16761 £11.75 bottle £141 dozen

NEW Château Muret, Haut-Médoc 2012A blend of 55% merlot and 45% cabernet sauvignon from the vineyards of Château Muret, situated on a plateau close to Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne in the northern Médoc. The wine is made in a modern style with round, polished fruit and a hint of oak thanks to the 30% of new oak barrels used in the wine’s ageing. Enjoy over the next two years. 12.5%ref TC-CM17641£11.95 bottle £143 dozen

NEW Château Reynon Rouge, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2012Denis Dubourdieu, oenologist par excellence and owner of this château, described the 2012 Reynon as probably the best he has made. The wine is predominantly merlot, which gives it its perfume and supple fruit texture, but also contains 12% petit verdot which lends colour and a hint of spice. Now to 2020. 13.5%ref TC-CB4221 £12.50 bottle £150 dozen

Château Tour Saint Bonnet, Médoc 2010 Tour Saint Bonnet has 40 hectares of vines located on the banks of the Gironde estuary at Saint Christoly. The blend is just under two-thirds merlot and a third cabernet sauvignon with a dash of petit verdot for seasoning. The wine is classically styled with a good balance of savoury fruit, fresh acidity and a touch of tannin on the finish. Now to 2019. 14%ref TC-CM14841£12.95 bottle £155 dozen

NEW Diane de Belgrave, Haut-Médoc 2009This is the second wine of revitalised classed growth Château Belgrave, situated on the border with Saint-Julien, next to Lagrange. The wine is a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 5% petit verdot, and displays ripe, succulent fruit with a hint of liquorice and spice on the finish. Now to 2019. 13% ref TC-CM16501 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

Château de la Commanderie, Lalande-de-Pomerol 2012A property we have followed over many vintages. With an aroma reminiscent of sloes, the 2012 is medium bodied with attractive, supple fruit texture and soft tannins. Now to 2020. 13.5%ref TC-CS9401 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

NEW Château Caronne Sainte Gemme, Haut-Médoc 2009François Nony’s vineyards are only a short walk from Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien. The château has a track record of doing well in dry years, and 2009 bears this out perfectly. The wine is ripe and broad with lovely fragrant fruit. Now to 2020. 14% Magnums available please call for details.ref TC-CM13671£14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Château du Courlat Cuvée Jean Baptiste, Lussac-Saint-Emilion 2009The top cuvée of a well-managed property that also excels in warm dry years like 2009. Unusual even on the right bank, this is 100% merlot. The wine is rich, ripe, smoky and voluptuous. At its peak now, but should remain there until 2022. 14.5%ref TC-CS7341 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

NEW Château Marsau, Côtes de Francs 2009This 12-hectare château is located on one of the highest points of the Côtes de Francs. Made from merlot, the wine has lovely perfume and juicy fruit character on the palate. The wine has the hallmark roundness of the 2009 vintage, but some tannin on the finish to lend balance and harmony. Now to 2024. 14.5%ref TC-CS7731£15.50 bottle £186 dozen

To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux 01438 741177

Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012From a magnificent and historic estate in the heart of Castillon, the 2012 Pitray is majority merlot with around a quarter cabernet franc. It is well balanced with polished fruit character and an attractive, savoury finish. The wine displays the charm that is typical of the best 2012s. 13% ref TC-CB4441£8.95 bottle £107 dozen

Château Ampélia, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010Owned and run by the talented François Despagne of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne in Saint-Emilion, this tiny property extends to just over four hectares. Made from merlot (95%) and cabernet franc, a third matured in new oak, this is a perfumed claret with density balanced by freshness. Now to 2018. 14.5%ref TC-CB3671 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

NEW Château d’Aiguilhe, Côtes de Castillon 2007Aiguilhe, acquired by Saint-Emilion producer Stephan von Neipperg in 1998, is one of the most impressive estates in the Côtes de Castillon. The aiguilhe (meaning ‘needle’) was the rocky outcrop on which the original château was built, and around which the vineyards today are planted. The wine, which is 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc, shows lovely balance with medium-bodied plummy fruit and a long, mellow finish. Now to 2018. 14%ref TC-CB4711£19 bottle £228 dozen

THE RISE OF THE CÔTES DE CASTILLONThe best soils and vineyard exposures of the Côtes de Castillon appellation, situated on the north bank of the Dordogne river, are similar to those of their celebrated neighbour Saint-Emilion. And in the right hands, the wines can be of exceptional quality. Our Castillon mixed case includes wines from three of the appellation’s top producers.

L’Héritage de Château Chasse-Spleen, Haut-Médoc 2010 Héritage is the second wine of Château Chasse-Spleen, the largest and most famous property in the commune of Moulis. The 2010 has an attractive cigar-box nose, with perfumed cassis fruit on the palate. The wine is generous, yet refined. Drink over the next two years. 13.5%ref TC-CM17811£16 bottle £192 dozen

Clos Floridène Rouge, Graves 2012Clos Floridène, launched by Florence and Denis Dubourdieu in the early 1980s, has established itself as one of the most consistent-performing properties of the Graves appellation. The 2012 is a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot and 5% cabernet franc, and the wine shows real charm and refinement, with plummy fruit character and silky tannins. Classic Graves. Now to 2022. 12.5%ref TC-CM16801 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Clos Floridène Rouge, Graves 2010 Impressive and original red from Denis Dubourdieu’s own property which has a high proportion of cabernet sauvignon, planted on limestone soil. In a vintage when cabernet ripened so well, this is a great success: fragrant cassis fruit with a mineral backbone and good length. Now to 2020. 13.5%ref TC-CM15031£17 bottle £204 dozen

NEW Château Carteau Côtes Daugay, Saint-Emilion 2009Owned and run by the charming Bertrand family, this 17-hectare property is located close to the town of Saint-Emilion, and makes very classic, sensibly priced merlot-based claret. The 2009 is ripe and savoury with hints of cedar and cloves. A fully mature wine to be enjoyed over the next five years. 14%ref TC-CS8341 £19 bottle £228 dozen

NEW Lacoste Borie, Pauillac 2012One of the best-value second wines of the appellation, Lacoste Borie is the younger brother of grand vin Grand-Puy-Lacoste. A blend of 52% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 8% cabernet franc, the wine displays refined Pauillac cassis notes on the nose with a lovely backbone of acidity and fine tannin structure. Now to 2023. 13.5%ref TC-CM16861£21 bottle £252 dozen

THE CÔTES DE CASTILLON CASEA six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

Château Ampélia, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Château d’Aiguilhe, Côtes de Castillon 2007

Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

ref TC-MX1653 £79Key

- bone dry to intensely sweet

new vintage screwcap synthetic closure

To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux 01438 741177

NEW Château Motte Maucourt Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2015A fresh and citrusy sauvignon blanc from a sixth-generation family-run property in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers. The wine is light and crisp and for early drinking, either as an aperitif or with a variety of fish and shellfish. 12.5%ref TC-BW5461 £6.50 bottle £78 dozen

La Perrière, Bordeaux Blanc 2015Fresh and appetising blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon from one of Entre-Deux-Mers’ top co-operatives for white wine. 2015 was a particularly successful year for dry Bordeaux whites, with good balance of aromatic fruit and fine acidity. 12%ref TC-BW5431 £6.75 bottle £81 dozen

Château Martinon, Entre-Deux-Mers 2015 Owned and managed by Jérome Trolliet, whose family has lived at the château for generations. The 2015 is a blend of 60% semillon, 25% sauvignon blanc, 13% sauvignon gris and 2% muscadelle. With lovely freshness and lift, the wine is a benchmark example of crisp, unoaked Entre-Deux-Mers white. 12.5% ref TC-BW5441 £7.25 bottle £87 dozen

Château Argadens, Bordeaux 2015From the Sichel family’s own property, which is sustainably farmed according to the principles of Agriculture Raisonnée. A bright and fresh blend of approximately two-thirds sauvignon blanc and one third semillon, a little of which is barrel-fermented to round out the palate. 13%ref TC-BW5451 £8.25 bottle £99 dozen

Château Bel Air Perponcher Blanc Réserve, Bordeaux 2014Produced by the highly respected Despagne family, in the Entre-Deux-Mers, this is a crisp, dry, unoaked blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon, with a splash of muscadelle for added character. The wine is ideal as an aperitif, or can be matched with an array of fish and seafood dishes. Classy white Bordeaux at an attractive price. 12% The 2015 follows. ref TC-BW5141 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

Château Thieuley, Bordeaux 2015Refined and elegant blend of 50% semillon, 35% sauvignon blanc and 15% of the lesser-known sauvignon gris. Made by the charming Courselle family in Entre-Deux-Mers, whose white wines we have been buying for many years. Francis Courselle was a pioneer of white wine production and his daughters have embraced his philosophy and taken it to even greater heights. 13% ref TC-BW5471 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

Château Reynon Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2014Elegant and fragrant sauvignon blanc, part fermented in large oak vats which bring roundness to the palate rather than any oak flavour. The wine is delicate with a hint of peachiness. From sauvignon specialist Denis Dubourdieu’s home property situated on a perfect south-facing slope at Béguey. Drink over the next 12 months. 12.5% ref TC-BW5411 £10.50 bottle £126 dozen

Clos Floridène Blanc, Graves 2012A beautifully balanced classic blend of 60% sauvignon and 40% old-vine semillon from the renowned Dubourdieu family’s estate in the Graves. A good example of the ageworthiness of fine white Bordeaux; the wine balances the freshness and aromatic qualities of the sauvignon with the breadth and roundness of ripe semillon. Enjoy over the next two years. 13%ref TC-BW4701 £19 bottle £228 dozen

Sichel Sauternes 2012 50clA fine, classically honed, luscious and honeyed blend of 85% semillon, 10% sauvignon blanc and 5% muscadelle. A rare bargain from some of the finest cru classé vineyards of Sauternes (whose origin we are not allowed to reveal but whose pedigree is impeccable). Remarkable value for money. Now to 2022. 13.5% ref TC-BW5421 £12.95 50cl bottle £155 dozen

DRY WHITES AND SAUTERNES

To order thewinesociety.com/bordeaux 01438 741177

This offer is open until Sunday 10th April, 2016 while stocks last.

Uncork with confidence

The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members’ satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise

THE CASE FOR 2012 CLARET A 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

Château Frontenac, Bordeaux 2012

Château de Blissa, Côtes de Bourg 2012

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Château Canada, Bordeaux Supérieur 2012

Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

ref TC-MX1652 £97

BORDEAUX MIXED DOZENA 12-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following:

£94

WHITE BORDEAUX A 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following:

La Perrière, Bordeaux Blanc 2015

Château Motte Maucourt Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2015

Château Bel Air Perponcher Blanc Réserve, Bordeaux 2014/2015

Château Argadens Blanc, Bordeaux 2015

Château Martinon, Entre-Deux-Mers 2015

Château Thieuley, Bordeaux 2015

ref TC-MX1654£89

REDS Château Frontenac, Bordeaux 2012

Château de Blissa, Côtes de Bourg 2012

Château Monconseil Gazin, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Château Canada, Bordeaux Supérieur 2012

Le Clos de Reynon, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

Château de Pitray, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2012

ref TC-MX1655

WHITES La Perrière, Bordeaux Blanc 2015

Château Motte Maucourt Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2015

Château Bel Air Perponcher Blanc Réserve, Bordeaux 2014/2015

Château Argadens Blanc, Bordeaux 2015

Château Martinon, Entre-Deux-Mers 2015

Château Thieuley, Bordeaux 2015