Chateau le Bergey is one of the best values I have and it comes to me by way of my friend Laurent in the Loire valley. Le Bergey is the entry level label of Chateau L'Escart, a Bordeaux Superior winery run by Damien Laurent, who lives on the property with his family. The 2009 vintage was just released and I was excited to see how this drank as I had really liked the 07 and 08. 09 was a good vintage in Bordeaux and this is more structured than usual. In past vintages this was Merlot based, but I'm told that with the 09 Damien took advantage of the unusually good season to use more Cabernet. The grapes are grown organically.
This vintage is 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot
Aroma: Classic Bordeaux! Dark intense fruit hits my nose first; cooked cherry, licorice, currant, and hints of baking chocolate and cedar when you get down to it. Almost brooding it's so serious!
Palate: This is intense and concentrated. I have to say I did open this early and it had plenty of aeration, but boy is it good now! Ripe cherry, licorice, blackberry followed dry tannins and a tightly wound fruit on the finish that is, dare I say it? Grapey. This is a well made, honest Bordeaux. It's not super polished, but what do you want for under $12?
This is a dark, serious, Bordeaux that's organically farmed and sells for about $12. It's a great deal, but decant it!
Available at Vic and Whit's, the Rosemonts, Tess's Market, Downeast Beverage, and Bathra's Market, as well as many fine restaurants such as Caiola's and Figa.
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