Mushroom dishes in Bordeaux

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

The second wine of Ausone, sourced from the youngest Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines on the same limestone hillside. Crisp, elegant and unmistakably mineral, with a fruity register that opens earlier than the grand vin.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

From 16.5 hectares of ancient underground cellars carved into the limestone of Saint-Emilion's plateau, Beau-Sejour Becot offers silk and velvet textures with floral aromatics, dark fruits and a crushed-stone mineral lift. Recent vintages show increasing use of amphora for freshness.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Premier Grand Cru Classe B from the Saint-Emilion limestone plateau. Owned by the Wertheimer family (Chanel), Canon produces Merlot-dominant blends of great classical finesse and ageing capacity, with cedar, mint and graphite precision.

Dry · Full-bodied · High tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Bold

The most structured and austere of the Pauillac first-growths. The L'Enclos parcel of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon delivers extraordinary concentration and mineral tension; legendary longevity requires patience of decades.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Rustic · Savoury

The benchmark Canon-Fronsac red from 6.75 hectares of 65-year-average-age vines, farmed biodynamically and organically. Merlot with 5% Malbec produces a fragrant, perfumed wine with remarkable freshness for the Right Bank.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Contemplative

From 42 hectares at Saint-Emilion's highest point (110m), Pavie delivers concentrated, structured Merlot-dominant blends with extraordinary mineral depth. Pairs elegance with considerable power; requires minimum 15 years to fully integrate.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Elegant

Pauillac second-growth with an unusually high Cabernet Sauvignon proportion for the appellation. AXA Millesimes' investment since 1987 has lifted consistency dramatically; the 2022 vintage drew especially strong critical praise in bottle.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Bold · Contemplative

The leading biodynamic estate in Bordeaux and the only Fifth Growth that regularly receives 100-point scores. Demeter-certified since 2014; unique use of amphorae alongside barrique ageing. The wines combine Pauillac's classical structure with a biodynamic freshness and earth energy not found elsewhere in the Medoc.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Bold · Savoury

Francois Mitjavile's Cotes de Bourg cult wine, modelled on the exacting principles of his Saint-Emilion estate Tertre-Roteboeuf: very late harvesting, low yields, and 100% new oak since 1996. Pushed the Cotes de Bourg to its quality ceiling.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Rustic · Easygoing

The flagship Fronsac estate red from 60 hectares on clay-limestone soils above the Dordogne. Merlot-led and supple with dark chocolate and ripe cherry; aged in spectacular 16th-century underground cellars at constant 13 degrees.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

A revived Fifth Growth finding its stride under the Merlaut family: Cabernet-forward Haut-Médoc structure with dark fruit, cedar and characteristic menthol freshness from deep gravel soils near Saint-Julien.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

Second wine of Lynch-Bages since 2007 (previously sold as Chateau Haut-Bages Averous). Higher Merlot component than the grand vin provides accessible fruit and earlier drinking; retains characteristic Lynch-Bages tobacco and cassis signature.

Dry · Full-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Bold

Powerful and silky with aromatic richness; introduces the Borie house style at an accessible level with plush berry fruit and balanced oak spice.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

The accessible, Merlot-dominant second selection from Vieux Chateau Certan, made from younger vines and less-selected barrels. Forward, fruit-driven, and approachable early but retaining the estate's hallmark iron-mineral signature.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Savoury

The second red of Haut-Brion, renamed from Bahans Haut-Brion in 2007. Merlot-dominated in most vintages with the same Pessac terroir as the grand vin, but more approachable in youth, showing red plum, blueberry, and mineral freshness.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Elegant · Easygoing

The second wine of Cheval Blanc: same terroir and typicity as the grand vin but in a more accessible, forward style. Charming black-fruit and cedar profile, silky tannins, and an earlier drinking window.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Micro-estate garagiste Pomerol with supremely hedonistic Merlot character: mocha-laced plum and violet aromatics, a voluptuous, fleshy palate, and remarkable concentration from just 400-600 cases per year.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Savoury

Second wine of Cos d'Estournel since 1994; previously sold as Marbuzet. Shows a more Merlot-forward profile than the grand vin, with the estate's distinctive spice character in a more accessible format.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Contemplative

Produced from a separate 0.8-hectare crescent parcel with deeper soils, Les Pensees is not a second wine but a distinct expression of the Lafleur terroir. More Merlot-forward than the grand vin, with the same biodynamic farming and iron-mineral character.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Romantic

Exquisite second wine of the most famous first growth, sharing the same subtle power and floral finesse as the grand vin while offering earlier accessibility.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Elegant · Easygoing

The second wine of Chateau Figeac, one of the oldest second wines on the Right Bank (first produced 1945). Shares the same Cabernet-influenced gravel terroir and blending trio as the grand vin but from younger vines; lighter, more refined and more accessible earlier.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · Medium acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

100% Merlot from 11.4 ha of blue clay at Pomerol's centre. Silk-and-velvet texture with truffle, chocolate, and dark cherry at its core; structurally imposing yet hedonistic, with a finish that stretches for minutes.

Dry · Full-bodied · Firm tannin · High acidity · Contemplative · Elegant

Pomerol's most Cabernet-Franc-inflected grand vin: 30% Cabernet Franc gives an aromatic lift and structural precision that sets VCC apart from Merlot-dominant peers. Sensuous and silky in great vintages, with decades of ageing potential.