Description

Just to the north of St-Estèphe, on the banks of the Gironde, are a series of small communes whose names are less well known than their prestigious neighbors. Here you can find excellent value wines. Laujac and Bégadan are two such communes, and they’re home to Château Labadie. This small château, like many in the area, has a long history and is family run. The current generation winemaker and proprietor, Jérôme Bibey, is a passionate young man who has done an excellent job modernizing the estate and updating the winemaking style to produce the charming claret that we can enjoy today. It’s safe to say this is our best Bordeaux under $20 in the store. Surprisingly, this wine has a larger percentage of Merlot than is common in the northern Médoc, but it is so well integrated and balances so nicely against the Cabernet, it’s easy to see why Jérôme chose to highlight this varietal. Open and inviting aromas of cassis and huckleberry give way to a medium-bodied palate bursting with blackberry fruit, cedar, tobacco and fresh minerality. The tannin is surprisingly soft, and yet the wine has plenty of structure to pair with your summer grilling. Drink now to 2024