Poultry in Bordeaux

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

Not a second wine but a distinct cuvée emphasising freshness and fruit intensity over the grand vin's power: Margaux character with more immediate expression, distinguished by its energy and precision.

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

Originally the second wine of Pavie, now an independent brand since 2018 sourced from a dedicated 11-hectare east-plateau parcel. Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend of medium body with dark cherry, espresso and salty-mineral character; approachable on release.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium acidity · Elegant · Refreshing

Single-plot Semillon from 75-year-old vines in a three-hectare block; the house premium white. Dry and elegant with the waxy, textured Semillon character that recalls white Pessac-Leognan at a fraction of the price. Anne Krebiehl MW-praised.

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

Bauduc's premium red from a single Bordeaux Superieur block: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in small barrels for added structure. Anne Krebiehl MW describes it as juicy, plush, and beautifully open with oak-kissed fruit.

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 · Bold · Elegant

Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 27 classified hectares at the foot of Saint-Emilion's slope. Generous, opulent and structured, with dark cherry, violets and cedar complexity; certified organic from the 2021 vintage.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

Bauduc's entry-level claret; a straightforward Merlot-Cabernet blend offering reliable, juicy red-fruit character and soft tannins at an accessible price. Drink now or hold for up to seven years. The wine is consistently good for its level.

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

100% Merlot Fronsac from the 4.5-hectare Haut-Lariveau parcel acquired by the Hubau family in 1990. More approachable and fruit-forward than its Canon-Fronsac sibling, farmed with the same biodynamic discipline.

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

Originally sold as Laville Haut-Brion until 2009, this is among the most complex dry whites of Bordeaux. Semillon richness and Sauvignon Blanc freshness fuse with 100% new oak to produce a wine of extraordinary mineral precision and creamy depth.

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 · 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 · Easygoing · Rustic

The largest single vineyard in the Médoc produces an consistently approachable, fruit-forward Haut-Médoc with a well-balanced structure and excellent everyday drinkability at an accessible price.

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

A cuvée in its own right rather than a simple second wine: structured Saint-Julien Cabernet with its own distinct terroir personality from western parcels of the estate, offering outstanding value relative to the grand vin.

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

Second wine of Chateau Canon (formerly Clos Canon, rebranded Croix Canon from the 2012 vintage). Elegant, medium-bodied with mint, cherry and floral character; structured enough for 10+ years but designed for earlier pleasure.

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

The accessible second wine of Clinet from estate vines, made to reveal its qualities early. Smooth-textured, fruit-driven Pomerol Merlot with approachable tannins and genuine ageing potential without requiring long cellaring.

Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The approachable second wine of Chasse-Spleen from the Moulis AOC: Merlot-driven, with enticing red fruit and soft tannins, ready to enjoy without extended cellaring.

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

The second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion, incorporating grapes from younger vines and since 2006 from the former La Tour Haut-Brion vineyard. Shares the Talence gravel terroir; accessible dark fruit with cedar and spice, drinkable earlier than the grand vin.

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

The second wine of Château Camensac, prioritising freshness and supple tannins from younger vine selections. Light and immediately appealing with characteristic Haut-Médoc menthol freshness.

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 Merlot-dominant second wine of Sociando-Mallet, offering earlier approachability with a more typically Médoc fruit profile than the austere and structured grand vin.

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 · Medium tannin · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Rustic

An elegant and approachable expression of Saint-Julien from younger vines, with a higher Merlot proportion giving early accessibility and soft ripe fruit.

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

The second wine of Angelus, Merlot-dominant with a forward, polished character. Bright red fruit, soft spice and floral tones make it approachable younger than the grand vin while retaining the estate's Merlot generosity.

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 · Easygoing · Rustic

The second red wine of Pape Clement since 1986. Merlot-dominant for approachability; round red cherry and currant fruit with cedar and soft spice notes. Designed for earlier drinking than the grand vin while reflecting the same Pessac terroir.

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

Third wine of Latour produced since 1989. Merlot-dominant and made primarily from young vines; developed for the restaurant market as a generously fruity, earlier-drinking Pauillac.

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

The official second wine of Léoville-Las Cases since 2007, Merlot-dominant for earlier accessibility while retaining the Saint-Julien precision of the parent estate.

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

Premium second wine of Pichon Baron introduced with the 2012 vintage. Merlot-dominant versus the Cabernet-heavy grand vin; since 2020, partially aged in amphora to add minerality and texture without excessive oak.

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

Second wine of Pontet-Canet since 1982. Produced in limited quantities as Alfred Tesseron prefers lower yields and declassification over large second-wine production; earlier-drinking, approachable Pauillac from biodynamic-certified vineyards.

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 · Medium acidity · Easygoing · Fruity

The renamed second wine of Beau-Sejour Becot (formerly Tournelle de Beau-Sejour Becot), renamed Petit Becot in 2012. Merlot-dominant with fresh red cherry character and gentle tannin; designed for early drinking pleasure.

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

Second wine of Chateau Meyney since 1979, named for the estate's 17th-century priory origins. Produced from younger vines (approximately 35-40 years) using minimal new oak to preserve fresh fruit character; a reliable everyday Saint-Estephe.

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

Second wine of Pichon Lalande since 1973. Described by the estate as a true Pauillac brand in its own right. Higher Petit Verdot proportion adds structure and spice; the estate's characteristic silk texture is detectable even at this level.