98 Point St. Emilion Value Bordeauxs!
98 Point St. Emilion Bordeauxs! Less than $220, 2018 La Mondotte, Chateau Canon, 2015 Clos Fourtet
"Such polish and composure for a young wine. So classy!"
James Suckling 98 Points for 2018 La Mondotte
"a majestic, soaring Grand Cru Classé that captures all the magic of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau"
Antonio Galloni 98 Points for 2018 Chateau Canon
"An absolute blockbuster is the 2015 Clos Fourtet ... Don’t miss these wines!"
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points for 2015 Clos Fourtet
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru!
The Saint-Émilion appellation is one of the most well-known and well-regarded regions of Bordeaux’s right bank. The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru section of this appellation is especially noteworthy. Many confuse the Grand Cru section with the Grand Cru classé which ranks producers in different classifications, and unlike the left bank system, updates it continually. The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a designated section for premier vineyards and has stricter regulations to ensure quality. Though these restrictions do not apply to Merlot which makes up around 65 percent of the Saint-Émilion vineyards. The most significant regulation is that the wine must be stored for an extra 14 months before release.
Grand Cru Premier Classe A!
A little background: In 1954, the Saint-Émilion Classification was established to rank the vineyards and estates. Château Figeac was classified as a "Premier Grand Cru Classé B" at that time, a prestigious ranking denoting exceptional quality. In 2022, the Saint-Émilion Classification underwent a revision, and Château Figeac was promoted to the highest rank of "Premier Grand Cru Classé A." The promotion solidified Château Figeac's position among the elite wineries of Saint-Émilion.
The Saint-Émilion Blend
The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines are mostly a ‘Bordeaux red blend’ with an emphasis on Merlot. Merlot provides smoothness, finesse, and intense fruit aromas, which are then blended with smaller percentages of other varietals such as Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for extra balance and structure.
Producers like Château Cheval Blanc, Château Canon, Clos Fourtet, Jean-Philippe Janoueix Domaines, and La Mondotte to name a few, are all highly regarded Saint-Émilion producers. The prestigious region is home to some of the most expensive bottles in Bordeaux. With similar terroir, climate, and winemaking processes, accessing these bottles for less than $200 gives you the chance to open your palette to Saint-Émilion Grand Crus that doesn't break the bank.
Secret Value Saint-Émilion Grand Cru's! Drink some now, save some for later!
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Critical Acclaim:
"The 2018 Canon is every bit as magnificent from bottle as it was from barrel. Maybe more so. Vertical and explosive in the glass, Canon sizzles with tension and vibrancy. Readers will find a majestic, soaring Grand Cru Classé that captures all the magic of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau. Canon exudes mind-blowing precision and deliciousness. It is another magnificent effort from Technical Director Nicolas Audebert and his team." AG for VM Mar 2021
98 Points —Antonio Galloni
"An absolute blockbuster is the 2015 Clos Fourtet, which is a blend of 88% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. It offers a huge nose of black and blue fruits, loads of incense, violets, chocolate, and underbrush aromas, full body, a seductive, ethereal texture, lots of fine tannins, and a finish that just won’t quit. This is as classy, seamless, and elegant as it gets. Give bottle 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades. Don’t miss these wines!" JD Nov 2017
98 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
"Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 La Mondotte strolls nonchalantly out of the glass with expressive scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by suggestions of candied violets, licorice, hoisin and black truffles with a waft of ground cloves. It's medium to full-bodied with seriously impressive tension and wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins supporting the generous black fruit preserves layers, finishing with amazing length and loads of panache. It will require a good 4-5 years to unlock some of its finer nuances, then drink this powerhouse over the next 25+ years." LPB Mar 2021
97+ Points — Robert Parker