Wine Collecting 101 - 10 Top $50 BORDEAUX Wines (Red Wines)
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode explores top Bordeaux wine selections offering exceptional value, all priced at or below fifty dollars per bottle.
There are three key takeaways from this discussion. First, high-quality, classified Bordeaux from prestigious appellations can be found for around fifty dollars or less. Second, wineries undergoing recent ownership changes and significant investment often present outstanding value as quality improves before prices fully adjust. Third, purchasing Bordeaux "futures" or en primeur for strong vintages is a strategic way to secure lower prices.
Prestigious Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon dominant and Right Bank Merlot dominant wines, including those from Saint-Julien, Margaux, and Saint-Émilion, demonstrate that accessible quality exists within Bordeaux's renowned classifications. Specific examples like Château Tour Saint Christophe, Château Carbonnieux, and Château Fonplégade offer superb quality for thirty to forty dollars.
Wineries such as Château Tour Saint Christophe and Château Fonplégade exemplify this trend. Their recent revitalization leads to wines whose quality currently outpaces their market price, creating a window of opportunity for savvy buyers before their reputations fully catch up.
Opting for en primeur purchases allows locking in prices for highly regarded vintages like 2020. This method maximizes value, enabling acquisition of excellent wines at favorable rates before general market release.
This analysis highlights that exceptional Bordeaux wines are indeed accessible, offering premium quality without the premium price tag.
Episode Overview
- This episode provides a curated list of the speaker's top 10 favorite Bordeaux wines that are priced at or below $50 per bottle.
- The recommendations are a specific follow-up to previous videos on favorite wines, created due to viewer requests for a Bordeaux-focused list.
- The list features high-value selections from both the Left Bank (e.g., Saint-Julien, Margaux) and the Right Bank (e.g., Saint-Émilion) of Bordeaux.
- The speaker discusses the classification, composition, and unique value proposition of each wine, often highlighting recent strong vintages and the impact of new ownership.
Key Concepts
The main theme is identifying exceptional value in the Bordeaux wine region, demonstrating that high-quality, classified-growth wines can be accessible for under $50. The discussion covers several key concepts including the different Bordeaux classifications (1855 Classification, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé), the distinction between Left Bank (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant) and Right Bank (Merlot-dominant) wines, and the strategy of buying "futures" (en primeur) to secure better pricing. A recurring idea is that wineries undergoing recent investment and revitalization often produce wines whose quality outpaces their price, offering a window of opportunity for collectors.
Quotes
- At 00:23 - "In this video, I'm identifying 10 of my favorite Bordeaux that cost $50 or less, in some cases substantially less." - The speaker clearly states the purpose and value proposition of the episode.
- At 01:41 - "$30 to $35 a bottle, depending on where you find it. So this is definitely a wine you're going to want to get in on now before the prices head north in future vintages." - Highlighting the exceptional value of Château Tour Saint Christophe and advising viewers to purchase it before its price increases to match its rising quality.
Takeaways
- You can find excellent, classified-growth Bordeaux from prestigious appellations like Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Émilion for around $50.
- Wineries with recent new ownership and significant investment, such as Château Tour Saint Christophe and Château Fonplégade, often represent great value as their quality improves before their reputation and prices fully catch up.
- For maximum value, consider purchasing Bordeaux "futures" (en primeur), especially for highly-regarded recent vintages like 2020, to lock in lower prices.
- Several high-quality Bordeaux are available for well under the $50 mark, including Château Tour Saint Christophe ($30-$35), Château Carbonnieux ($35), and Château Fonplégade ($40).
