This week's wine of the weekend gives you the inside scoop on a true Bordeaux bargain that will be gone quickly: in an ongoing effort to offer a strong under-$20 portfolio, the LCBO recently sourced and secured the final 1,200 cases of this Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blend. Prestigious yet modestly priced, it's a great showcase of the highly touted 2005 vintage.
Tasting Note: This stunner presents pretty aromas of smoke, game, ripe blackberries and currants. Mellow and supple on the palate, it still shows a remarkably youthful fruit character, offers plenty of complexity and has a lengthy finish. It's drinking beautifully now but would easily cellar for another two or three years.
Enjoy With: Grilled lamb chops, gourmet burgers and aged cheeses.
Style: Dry, medium- to full-bodied red wine.
Terroir / Region: Château la Raze Beauvallet is situated within the Médoc region of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary on France's southwest coast. Home to some of the most famous wines in the world (Margaux, St-Julien, Pauillac, etc), it is also the source of many lesser-known bargains. A relatively cool-climate region, grape growers in the Médoc rely on the tempering influence of the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the waters of the Gironde.
Producer: Housed in a beautiful 19th-century building, Château la Raze Beauvallet is part of a long Bordeaux tradition. Its recent history is what makes it of interest to wine lovers, however. Twenty years ago, the estate was purchased by the Sourice family, who spent $2 million to update the cellars and vineyards. That insistence on quality comes through in the wine, which speaks to the careful attention given to both the growing and vinification processes.
Availability: 1,200 cases will be officially released Saturday, May 29 in Vintages. But check the LCBO website, since some stores' shelves are already stocked. Look for it in the French section.
12.5% Alcohol/Vol. | 750 mL | #170316
Remember your reusable shopping bag & please enjoy responsibly.
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