Delicious 2019 Bordeaux Reds and White!
It’s no secret that the 2019 vintage in Bordeaux produced excellent wines, at all price points. Today we present three bottlings from this classic harvest - two reds and one white - all of which are drinking deliciously right now.
“2019 is a fabulous vintage that will be prized by those who love classic, elegant, yet still ripe and concentrated Bordeaux.”
- Jeb Dunnuck, April 2022
Each of these wines hails from Bordeaux’s Right Bank, each has strong reviews from both the wine press and our team, and each is available for under thirty bucks. Check out the tasting notes, then click quick on the Big Yellow Button to get in on the action!
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2019 Château de Francs
Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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At the time this wine was bottled, Château de Francs was a partnership between Hubert de Boüard of Chateau Angelus and Dominique Hébrard, formerly of Cheval Blanc. Since then, Hubert has taken complete ownership and plans to integrate the fruit into his pricier Tempo d'Angelus project.
Accordingly, this bargain-priced red was the final vintage of Chateau de Francs to be produced! Drinking great right now, this has far more density, texture and character than you'd expect for the price. Boasting notes of red currant, cassis, olive, tobacco, cedar, pepper, it is real Bordeaux, and the price is ridiculously good.
“Sweet, ripe fruit with chocolate and berry character and hints of lightly toasted oak. Medium-bodied with medium, firm tannins and a juicy, fruity finish. Some citrus, too. 70% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Give it a year or two to come around. Drink after 2022.”
- 90 Points, James Suckling (3/3/2022)
“A medium-bodied, supple, elegant wine with lots to like, the 2019 Château De Francs reveals a medium ruby hue as well as solid notes of moderate red fruits, spring flowers, and cedary herbs. It's not a blockbuster, but it excels on its balance, mouthfeel, and complexity. Drink this solid effort over the coming 7-8 years. Maturity: 2022 - 2030.” - 89 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (4/11/2022)
Legit Bordeaux from two legends for sixteen bucks? Grab this while you can!
Vin Chicago Price: 15.99
2019 Château Laforge
Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France
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Pioneering vigneron Jonathan Maltus is most famous for his Le Dôme, a of which the 97-Point bottling from 2019 will set you back $250.
He also produces Laforge, an incredible value featuring old vine Merlot raised in a combination of new and used French oak. We’ve been enjoying this bottling over the last three days and are HIGHLY impressed. We were enticed by the red plum, blackcherry, spice, dried flowers and cocoa flavors, the medium-full mouthfeel, and the soft, complex, quite pleasing finish.
"The 2019 Laforge has really filled out nicely. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, tobacco, licorice and lavender build beautifully with some aeration. The 2019 is sumptuous, bold and racy, Laforge is an absolute joy to taste today. This flamboyant, racy Saint-Émilion will be a jewel to drink now and over the next few years. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2034."
- 93 Points, Vinous - Antonio Galloni (1/2022)
“Lots of lovely fruit and freshness in this red with blackberry and cherry character, medium body and a round, juicy finish. Very attractive already. Drink after 2023.”
- 92 Points, James Suckling (2/20/2022)
“The 2019 Château Laforge is more up-front and charming, with medium-bodied aromas and flavors of savory red and black fruits, leafy herbs, iron, and tobacco. It has good acidity, ripe tannins, and, as with all of the releases from Malthus, is beautifully balanced. Drink this already complex, layered, seamless 2019 over the coming 15+ years. Maturity: 2022 - 2037.”
- 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (4/11/2022)
As is typical for 2019 Bordeaux, this yummy red is already drinking great. And, it has the stuff to go for another 7 to 10 years!
Vin Chicago Price: 27.99
A Delicious 2019 Bordeaux Blanc from the Charming Stephan von Neipperg!
2019 Château D’Aiguilhe "Le Blanc D’Aiguilhe"
Bordeaux, France
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When we opened this bottle a few days ago, we had to double check the label. Is this already six years old? It tastes incredibly young and fresh - what a wine!
We originally poured this rare wine for our guests during a dinner at Brindille with Count Stephan von Neipperg, the completely inimitable proprietor of Château D'Aiguilhe.
It was the first white we had ever tasted from D'Aiguilhe, or from any of the Count's other properties for that matter. We managed to pry a supply of this wine out of the winery cellar in Bordeaux, and it is even more delicious today then it was two years ago at the dinner.
Giving a plump and zesty mouthfeel with layered orchard fruits, herbal tones, and plenty of minerality, this is white Bordeaux at its most rich and silky. Jeb's 94-Point review is spot-on, except for one thing. We take issue with his estimation of the wine’s ageability. Based on tasting our sample bottle over the course of three days, we think this bottling is only getting better, and has another 10 years of delicious drinkability ahead!
“I loved the 2019 Chateau D'Aiguilhe Blanc, an up-front, supple, incredibly charming white revealing beautiful notes of white citrus, mint, orange blossom, and chalky minerality. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's balanced, has integrated acidity, and a great finish. I don't think it will make terribly old bones, but it's one beautiful wine that I'd love to drink any time over the coming 3-5 years.”
- 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (4/11/2022)
Stephan does not produce a whole lot of this wine, and VERY little makes it to the United States. We found just four listings online. Our price beats them all.
Vin Chicago Price: 29.79
