CHATEAU JOANIN BECOT, CASTILLON COTES DE BORDEAUX

BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2015

Short and sweet: here's an offer that you won't have to read beyond the end of this paragraph to get the gist of what we're so excited about. A red from Bordeaux, but not from the most recognizable appellations. When purchased by the case, it falls to 25% off at just over $22 per bottle. And as a bonus incentive, it received 92 points. 

This should be enough to get you to jump on this, but since we don't shy away from great stories, feel free to read on if you'd like a little more detail. 

"Perhaps the most significant development in the Bordeaux of the last 20 years has been the increasing number of seriously dedicated producers in Bordeaux's less glamorous appellations, Bordeaux AC, Côtes de Bordeaux (which can be prefixed by any of Blaye, Bourg, Côtes de Bourg, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs), Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol, Médoc and the satellite appellations with St-Émilion in their name for reds, and Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, and Blaye for dry whites. Their wines usually fetch a mere fraction of the classed growth prices, but properties such as [these] offer Bordeaux's best current value." (Jancis Robinson) 

Of particular note is Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, which up until 2009 was known simply as Côtes de Castillon. This relatively large appellation (about 2,800 hectares of vines) is consistently one of the best of Bordeaux's Right Bank satellite appellations. 

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the dominant varieties planted here, and red wines are the only type allowed under the label. Generally speaking, the wines are known to be rich, complex, round and supple - and they usually drink well when young. Add to this appellation a superb vintage – this is truly a no brainer.

Our example does nothing to break from that mold. The 2015 Château Joanin Bécot, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, shows texture and class that is normally associated with much pricier wines from its neighbors to the west, Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, with Robert Parker of Wine Advocate previously calling this “a dead ringer for a top Pomerol.”

For one week we are offering an opportunity to stock up on a stellar wine from a part of Bordeaux that hasn’t yet gotten the attention it truly deserves.  Although, we will admit that we love what the lack of attention does for the price of the wine. 6-packs for 20% off and 12-packs for 25% off.