Clyde's Corner

K&L's owner & Head Bordeaux Buyer is an ace at finding great Bordeaux values. This week he recommends the 1999 Lestage Simon, which is right at its sweet spot.

1999 Lestage Simon, Haut-Médoc $24.99

Over 20 years old and so delicious. These 99s are showing so well right now.

Château Lestage Simon is a lovely embodiment of a Cru Bourgeois. Located at St-Seurin-de-Cadourne, which is beside the great vineyard of St-Estephe, this profits from an outstanding terroir that is complex and diverse, and whose uniqueness is the basis of the château’s wines. This wine is elegant and fruity with Merlot showing through. Gary Westby blogged about it last year and bought a case on the spot. I tasted it again (March 22, 2020), and it is better than I first thought—perfect with a New York steak dinner. This property is known to make big and tannic wines, but the softness of the vintage, the ripeness of the Merlot, and the 20+ years ageing in the property’s cellar have made this wine superb right out of the bottle. Some black fruit flavors and very round, sweet tannins. Fabulous value to drink now and for a few more years.

- Clyde Beffa Jr.