Les Chartrons, Bordeaux AOC (France) 2014

Good value Bordeaux is not an oxymoron, but finding one does involve some mental gymnastics. The first  order of business is accepting that the classified growths don’t own the patent on quality in this important wine region. Les Chartrons bears the simple Bordeaux AOC appellation, but what’s in the bottle speaks of a higher calling. This vintage is well balanced and beautifully structured, with firm tannins masking — for the time being — lovely aromas of cassis and blackberry. At this price, a real find. This wine was a Platinum award-winner at the 2016 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition.