Château La Grolet 2022 Cotes du Bourg, Red Bordeaux

This is real Bordeaux.  By that, we mean traditional, old-school, pre-Parkerized, food-friendly Bordeaux without all the gobs of sweet syrupy fruit surrounded by vanilla oak pudding and 15% alcohol. The Côtes de Bourg is an unsung Right Bank appellation across the river from Margaux and la Grolet’s estate is farmed biodynamicly since 2000. The vines are deeply rooted in clay-limestone soils and the winemaking is hands-off but precise while aged in used neutral oak barrels.  The 2022 vintage is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This Bordeaux feels alive in the glass with juicy dark plum, blackberry, and dried herbs, with subtle earth and graphite undertones on both the nose and palate.  While ready to enjoy tonight, there’s structure here, but it’s never cumbersome - it provides just enough grip to remind you this is serious red wine while still remaining balanced and food-friendly. Enjoy now and over the next seven years.