Wine Review: Bordeaux on a Budget

French wines can be both confusing and intimidating.  In America if it's a Chardonnay that's what we call it but NO!!!  not the French.  Wine is named largely for the region it comes from so Chardonnay you say?  Would you prefer Chablis or perhaps a nice White Burgundy masseur!? Having said this they really, really, REALLY got this wine thing on LOCK!!!  

 

Chateau Garraud makes an excellent and approachable Bordeaux (Largley Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab to make it pop). At $14.99 for half bottles you cannot go wrong!   Wine Spectator rated the 2009 at 93 points. I say 9/10 Stars

**pro tip. Buy a decanter and DUMP the wine in it then store it in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.  Dumping it fast creates bubbles which allows air to get to and soften the bite of the wine (burning off the tannins). Putting it in the fridge for a few minutes brings it down to the temp it was meant to be served at...not ice cold but not warm.   Warm wine sucks. Don't drink it.