Clyde's Corner

2016 Gros Caillou, St-Émilion Grand Cru $25.99

OK, I have been to St-Émilion about 50 different times in the past 35 years, and I have never seen or been in this property. Heck, there are over 4000 St-Émilion properties! This is the first vintage we have carried from this property, and it will probably not be the last. We tasted a sample of the wine in December and bought it on the spot. It’s a classic, lively, vibrant 2016 Bordeaux for a very good price. Spicy and toasty oak aromas—tons of black fruit aromas and flavors. Quite sweet right now, but if you decant it for an hour, it will be even better. We did not decant and still finished the bottle quickly. It tasted so good with our roasted chicken dinner!

2004 Haut-Bergey, Pessac-Léognan $29.99

The Cathiard family purchased Smith-Haut-Laffite in 1991, then, with the Garcins (Silviane Garcin is Daniel Cathiard’s sister) they purchased Haut-Bergey and Branon just after, taking the Pessac-Léognan region by storm. We have been following these properties since the 90s. This 2004 Haut-Bergey is outstanding. The pure mineral elements typical of the region’s wines intermix with ripe Merlot and Cabernet grapes from a vintage generally considered to be classic Bordeaux. Old school around the edges, but with flashes of toasty oak and earthy blackberry flavors. This wine is perfect for enjoying now and for a few more years.

- Clyde Beffa Jr.