La Commanderie Bordeaux 2019 750ml

$33.00

This is Chateau La Commanderie in Saint-Estephe, not the other properties sharing that name over in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. The vineyard sits on the highest ridge in the appellation, between Cos d'Estournel and Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which is about as good a neighborhood as Bordeaux offers. Gabriel Meffre bought the estate in 1957; his son Claude has run it since 1996 and also owns Chateau Plantey in Pauillac. A Cru Bourgeois built for real drinking, not just cellaring.

Cassis, wild strawberry, and clove up front, with violet, licorice, and a touch of white pepper. Juicy, well-balanced, and fresh, with fine-grained tannins and real tension on the finish.

Good with roast duck, lamb shoulder, or a wedge of Saint-Nectaire.

The vineyard grows on gravel and smooth pebbles over a clay-limestone base, farmed sustainably. The blend is 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon at 14% ABV, classic Left Bank structure at a price that undercuts most of its Saint-Estephe neighbors.