When the heavy box of 6 wines arrived, I quickly realized that it would be selfish to keep all of this grape goodness to myself. My pals Vik and Leslie quickly accepted my invitation to assist me with this tough assignment. One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants, The Kiosk in East Harlem, agreed to pair a few selections from their Moroccan and Mediterranean menu with the Bordeaux. Our menu included spicy grilled Merguez Sausage, Crab Cakes, Hummus with Pita, Baba Ganoush and even Chocolate Cake. Let the tasting begin!
Clarendelle 2005 (red) - $19.95
We all adored this wine - absolutely delicious. A blend of mostly Merlot (82%) with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Clarendelle is a luscious and velvety wine with abundant and complex notes of fruit. Vik said, "This wine will make you reconsider Merlot." I would definitely buy this wine and wouldn't hesitate to give a bottle as a gift - it tastes very expensive.
Chateau Fage 2009 (white) - $11.95
This wonderful white Bordeaux is so easy to love. A captivating citrus aroma with notes of peach make Chateau Fage a perfect summer wine. A little dry and not too sweet, it is made
mostly of Sauvignon Blanc with some Semillon. This is a fantastic alternative to the ubiquitous Pinot Grigio. Another wine I would not hesitate to buy.
Chateau Le Bonnat 2005 (red) - $15.99
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon combine together to create a beguiling blend of smoky and fruity notes. A full-bodied wine that I would serve with a nice hearty meal.
Although the Clarendelle white did not wow us as much as their red, it is still a tasty wine. This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is more earthy and herbal than fruity.
Chateau Greysac 2006 (red) - $11.99
The fruit notes of the Chateau Greysac were overwhelmed by flavors of wood and tobacco. It just paled in comparison to the wonderful Clarendelle red.
Mouton Cadet 2008 (white) - $7.99)
Why did Mouton Cadet place last in our tasting? Like the Chateau Fage, it is also a blend of Sauvingon Blanc and Semillon. However, the Mouton Cadet has more of a mineral flavor as opposed to lush fruits.
Overall, we were all impressed with the quality of the Bordeaux wines. It was hard to believe that every wine we tasted was under $20 - many of them tasted significantly more expensive. What you drink is ultimately a question of personal taste but exploring new wines is a fun way to clarify your preferences. Why not invite a few friends over for your own Battle of the Bordeaux? Visit www.enjoybordeaux.com to learn more about these legendary French wines. Cheers!