Château La Rame, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux (Bordeaux, France) 2009

Cadillac, an appellation best known for sweet wines, also produces a small amount of red, including this one that consumers should flock to.  To remind consumers the wines come from Bordeaux, the Cadillac appellation along with three neighboring ones, Blaye, Francs, and Castillon, have joined forces, lobbied for and won approval of, an umbrella appellation now known as Côtes de Bordeaux.  A blend of two-thirds Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, a “not just fruit” character harmonizes with the plump, but not over ripe, black fruit you’d expect from the exceptional 2009 vintage.  This is not a “fruit bomb,” but rather a wonderful expression of Bordeaux at an equally appealing price.  Supple tannins lend structure, but since they don’t intrude, it’s a pleasure to drink it now.