Château Bourdieu, Blaye, Côtes De Bordeaux (France) 2019

 This chateau has been remarkably visible at both brick & mortar and online wine shops. Blaye, like Bourg, Fronsac and others can now be labeled “Cotes de Bordeaux,” and more and more wines under this banner are being imported.  When living in the area, I visited Blaye, a historic walled village, and tried many of its wines.  But though inexpensive, nothing back then offered much to get excited about, and quite a few of the wines seemed a little dried out or suffered from aging in old barrels.  But the current owners who acquired this old estate in the mid-1990s appear to have improved the viticulture and winemaking approach.  The result is an attractive 2019 wine.  Make that an attractive Right Bank Bordeaux style wine.  Made from 87% Merlot and equal amounts of the two Cabernets, it shows enticing aromas of plums and allspice.  Medium bodied and well balanced, it offers compact flavors of dark fruits with a touch of herbs.  It finishes with light tannins.  A genuine Bordeaux offering good value.