Chateau Pey La Tour 2010 Grand Vin - 88pts

Chateau Pey La Tour 2010 Grand Vin (Medoc) Bordeaux - France

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $18-20
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Back-to-back superior vintages (2009 and 2010) has spiked the prices of Classed Growths dramatically leaving bargain wines like the entry-level Pey La Tour to fill the void of affordable Bordeaux which seems to be a dying species. Luckily, for the average consumer looking for a drop of Aquitaine these "vintages of the century" have also done wonders for the less glorified wines of the region - especially for the 2010 vintage which proved to be dryer than the much lauded and hotter 2009. A "Classic" vintage to the Bordelais.

This Merlot dominant blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in cameo roles, offers nicely structured red and blue fruits with herbs and tobacco notes and impressive balance. Despite its lowly "Bordeaux AOC" label, the lowest ranked classification a wine can achieve and still call itself a vin du Bordeaux, this wine has character and good typicity for the vintage and region, all for under $20.

The new screw-top enclosure will only benefit the style shift towards more approachable and fruit-friendly wines at this price-point and should allow for worry-free aging should you be so inclined. Development is usually minimal for these lighter Bordeaux wines but may be worth the experiment - and it won't cost you much. Drink 2012-15.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

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