In the globalized, painfully commercial world of today's Bordeaux, finding quality, authentic wines at everyday prices is a gargantuan challenge. In fact, despite many visits to the region, we had essentially given up on this quest until the pair of unique values below appeared on our vinous horizon. From one of the strongest Bordeaux vintages on record, these may be our best value finds of the last twelve months.
Château de Grolet and Château Peybonhomme-Les-Tours are both managed by fifth generation growers Catherine and Jean-Luc Hubert. These vignerons break just about every stereotype associated with Bordeaux: their vineyards are certified biodynamic, their wines are easy drinking young, and they offer outstanding value for money. It's impossible not to focus on the value presented here, but it also feels somewhat unfair to the wine. Both wines deliver such honest charm and outright quality that to stress the price too much is to underplay the excellence and sheer deliciousness in the bottle.
These are two Estates run along almost Burgundian lines; ploughed vineyards, low-yields, ripe fruit and low intervention, wild yeast winemaking results in terroir-driven wines that combine texture, freshness and vigour with a much finer tannin profile than that found in many of the region's wines. These are wines that will appeal greatly to, not only Bordeaux lovers and en-primeur buyers, but lovers of delicious, bona fide and impeccably-made wines full stop.
