Bordeaux, the land of prestigious chateaux and legendary wines, can often conjure images of hefty price tags. But fear not, budget-conscious wine lovers! Bordeaux offers a bounty of delicious and affordable options, waiting to be discovered. Today, we delve into three such gems, each priced under $20, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds without breaking the bank.

1. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ronan-by-Clinet-Bordeaux-Rouge-2016-w4958061o5">Ronan by Clinet, Pomerol</a> - $11.99:

This C&ocirc;tes de Castillon gem is a collaboration between renowned winemaker Jean-Bernard Clinet (of Ch&acirc;teau Clinet fame) and the n&eacute;gociant house of Dourthe. Clinet&#39;s expertise shines through in this blend of Merlot (85%) and Cabernet Franc (15%).

History: While not a historical estate itself, Ronan embodies the spirit of Bordeaux innovation. Clinet, a pioneer in sustainable viticulture, has applied his knowledge to craft an exceptional value wine.

Tasting Notes: Expect a vibrant ruby red color, alive with aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, and hints of spice. The palate is smooth and elegant, offering flavors of blackberry, cassis, and earth, balanced by fine-grained tannins and a lingering finish.

Alcohol: 14%

Critics&#39; Reviews:

<ul>
	<li>Jeb Dunnuck: 88 points - &quot;A juicy, charming, and delicious C&ocirc;tes de Castillon to drink over the next few years.&quot;</li>
	<li>James Suckling: 90 points - &quot;A balanced and well-made C&ocirc;tes de Castillon with juicy fruit and a touch of spice.&quot;</li>
</ul>

2. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Clos-du-Roy-Fronsac-2019-w9163742e9">Clos du Roy - Fronsac 2019</a> - $16.99:

Nestled on the Right Bank, Clos du Roy has been producing quality wines since the 1940s. The 2019 vintage is a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%), crafted by the talented winemaker Nicolas Valette.

History: Founded in 1944, Clos du Roy has undergone several ownership changes. Today, it remains dedicated to producing affordable yet high-quality wines.

Tasting Notes: This deep garnet-colored wine opens with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and violets, interwoven with hints of vanilla, tobacco, and pepper. The medium-bodied palate is smooth and elegant, offering flavors of ripe fruit, spice, and earth, supported by supple tannins and a lingering finish.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Critics&#39; Reviews:

<ul>
	<li>Wine Advocate: 88 points - &quot;A ripe, juicy, and easy-drinking Fronsac with good value.&quot;</li>
	<li>Decanter: 89 points - &quot;A supple and juicy blend with good depth of fruit and a pleasant finish.&quot;</li>
</ul>

3. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Noaillac-Medoc-2019-w1616917r7">Ch&acirc;teau Noaillac - M&eacute;doc 2019</a> - $13.99:

This historic estate, dating back to the 17th century, offers a Cru Bourgeois Sup&eacute;rieur expression of the M&eacute;doc appellation. The 2019 blend comprises Merlot (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Petit Verdot (5%), crafted by the dedicated team at Ch&acirc;teau Noaillac.

History: Ch&acirc;teau Noaillac boasts a rich history, having passed through several noble families before being acquired by the Miailhe family in 1998. Today, they strive to maintain the estate&#39;s legacy while implementing modern techniques.

Tasting Notes: This deep ruby-colored wine reveals aromas of blackcurrant, plum, and cedar, followed by hints of spice and tobacco. The full-bodied palate is structured and elegant, offering flavors of ripe fruit, earth, and spice, supported by firm yet approachable tannins and a long finish.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Critics&#39; Reviews:

<ul>
	<li>Wine Spectator: 88 points - &quot;A balanced and harmonious M&eacute;doc with good structure and length.&quot;</li>
	<li>James Suckling: 90 points - &quot;A well-made and classic M&eacute;doc with good tannins and a pleasing finish.&quot;</li>
</ul>

These three Bordeaux gems demonstrate that exceptional quality doesn&#39;t have to come with a hefty price tag. Each wine offers a unique expression of its terroir and grape varietals, making them perfect for exploring the diverse landscape of Bordeaux. So, grab a bottle (or two!), uncork, and discover the hidden treasures of this world-renowned wine region.

I hope this article helps you discover your next Bordeaux adventure!

Bordeaux, the land of prestigious chateaux and legendary wines, can often conjure images of hefty price tags. But fear not, budget-conscious wine lovers! Bordeaux offers a bounty of delicious and affordable options, waiting to be discovered. Today, we delve into three such gems, each priced under $20, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds without breaking the bank.

Unveiling Bordeaux Gems: Three Under-$20 Treasures

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Match 65 Brasserie

Sam Hohl

Match 65

Match 65

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier&nbsp;

Hello Sam, great to have you back for another great wine list.&nbsp;

SH: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.&nbsp;

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

Overview

Match 65 is a French Brasserie on the Upper East Side offering traditional dishes in a cozy space that gives off true French ambiance.&nbsp;

Where to start&nbsp;

There are so many food-friendly wines on this list it can be hard to figure out a place to start! I did find a few that would be delicious to sip on and pair with some of the starters.&nbsp;

RT: Let&rsquo;s go for something off the Rhone Rouge section that will win the popularity vote with a variety of food pairings! The 2018 Famille Perrin Gigondas is a grenache and syrah blend that has notes of blackfruit and ripe cherries. The sandy soils the grenache is grown in contribute to the rich mouthfeel. This wine also had a long maceration, meaning the skins were left in the wine longer, making the tannins nice and soft. This delicate red is a pleasure on its own, but try it with the Pate de Campagne and you&rsquo;re setting the meal up beautifully!&nbsp;

 
RT: White&nbsp;

Maybe your night starts out with a white wine, something that has a little weight to it and is ready to mingle with some food. The 2012 Chante-Alouette M. Chapoutier is made from the marsanne grape. This wine is from the Hermitage appellation in the northern Rhone wine region, which produces mostly red wine but also small amounts of white wines. Because this wine is aged, it has great tropical fruit notes, along with hints of melon, apple, and honey. It&rsquo;s got a medium body that would be delicious alongside the salmon tartare.&nbsp;

RT: Value Bottle

If you&rsquo;re not looking to spend too much on a bottle but still want a wine that will pair wonderfully with a variety of things try the 2018 Domain Joly et Fils Chablis. (Jollee a fis) This is a white wine made from the chardonnay grape, but because chablis is in the northern part of the Burgundy region it has a cooler climate, which results in wines with more acidity and less fruitiness than those that come from warmer climates. So this is going to be very different from your California chardonnay. It has notes of pear, grapefruit, apple and stone. This wine has great pairing potential with anything from the buffalo mozzarella, to the pan-seared pork chop or even the trout amandine.&nbsp;

RT: Celebratory

There is no shortage of choices if you&rsquo;re looking for an incredible celebration bottle here. The wine list has a Bordeaux Grand Cru Classe section, meaning great classified growth. These wines are from estates that are recognized for their exceptional quality. This section then lists the wines by growths. 1st growth is an indication of the highest quality and there are only 5 chateaus classified as 1st growth. If you&rsquo;re able to try one of these premier wines, you must try the 2005 Latour Pauillac. (Poh-yak) This beautiful, powerful wine has super fine tannins and is bursting with black currants and raspberries, accompanied by chocolate. It&rsquo;s big and balanced, and has a long graphite finish. If you pair it, try the steak frites or the rack of lamb. But be sure to get lost in the experience that this wine is first!&nbsp;

RT: Sam, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Match 65&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try your great suggestions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp;

If you would like Sam to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the cue as quick as possible.&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.&nbsp;

Thank you.

 
&nbsp;

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Bocca di Lupe

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Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

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Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Vincent Bachelet is a small, family-owned winery located in the heart of Burgundy. Vincent Bachelet is a passionate winemaker who produces high-quality wines that are full of character and reflect the terroir of the region.

Provencal fare takes center stage at this popular French bistro convenient for a pre-theater stop.

Craft

Craft L.A.

Barbrix

Wally's

The Belvedere

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Spago

Jeune Et Jolie

Cucina Urbana

Rossoblu

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Cowboy Star

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Saju Bistro

Available Wines
Total Wines - 2

Louis M. Martini

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

'Pichon Comtesse Reserve 2021

Pauillac, France