Chateau Blouin Rouge Bordeaux 2018

Located, quite literally, on the other side of town from the more renowned Pomerol (Chateau Pétrus) and Saint-Émilion (Cheval Blanc) — Graves de Vayres has been making unheralded, yet delicious wines for centuries (they are the 2nd oldest appellation in Bordeaux, after all).

As often the case with a right bank Bordeaux, bold merlot (80%) takes the lead, finding a suitable dance partner with the always sultry and elegant cabernet franc (20%.) Red plums and cherries are easy to find, buttressed with a pillar of dark chocolate, Tahitian vanilla and toasted black peppercorns. The wine rests lightly on the palate, with a dry and intense finish showcasing a classically endowed structure.

This wine delivers at nearly any price - and for what we’ve got going on at $9… this is Dr. Strangelove level madness!