Everyone’s heard of Bordeaux, but it can be harder to tell your Left Bank from your Right Bank, or your Saint-Émilion from your Saint-Julien. Here’s a trio from three different Bordeaux regions. Each of these wines is made from ‘declassified’ – ie excess – fruit from top-level winemakers, meaning the wine in these bottles is made from juice from some of the most famous châteaux in the world.
Pomerol 2022
£34.99
Nestled next to Saint-Émilion and to the north of Bordeaux city itself, Pomerol is one of the smallest regions of Bordeaux, and famous for being the home of Château Petrus among other smaller growers. This is a fantastic example of the Merlot-heavy, silky, rich and smooth wine for which Pomerol, and the Right Bank, are famous.
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2023
£26.99
Saint-Émilion sits to the east of the Bordeaux region, next to Pomerol and also in the area known as the Right Bank. Limestone, clay and gravel soils give the wines fantastic structure and elegance. This wine is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, similar to blends used by châteaux such as Angelus and Cheval Blanc, and exceptional value for money.
Saint-Julien 2021
£30.99
Saint-Julien hugs the Left Bank of the Gironde, and is much further west – and closer to the Atlantic – than the Right Bank regions. Part of the region known as the Medoc, the appellation includes such famous names as Château Léoville Barton and Beychevelle – and like those wines, this one is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Merlot. Rich and full-bodied, with flavours of cassis, raspberry and spice.
Taurus Wines are located at Whipley Manor Farm, Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0LL. Tel: 01483 548484
This article also appears in the autumn edition of Premier Magazine. CLICK HERE to browse the issue in full.
