This video focuses on two outstanding red Bordeaux values from the satellite appellations of Saint Emilion. The wine has good international availability, they drink well on release but often have the potential to age for a decade. Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine, tastes and discusses two benchmark wines from the region.
The topic here is on the part of Bordeaux known as the Right Bank. Included in the Right Bank is the medieval town of St Emilion, along with the broader appellation of the same name. It’s home to some of the most iconic, age-worthy and priciest wines of the entire region. To its north and east are the Saint Emilion satellite appellations. Today, there are four nearby appellations that combine a commune or village name, along with that of St Emilion. Two are being featured in this video, Lussac St Emilion and Montagne St Emilion, both are large appellations that offer wines that can routinely be found with a good specialty wine retailer.
As with St Emilion, the predominant grape variety within the satellite appellations is Merlot. Cabernet Franc sometimes takes the lead role, but it’s more often a supporting player. Cabernet Sauvignon can be found, but it’s overall a minor component in this part of Bordeaux. The wines routinely see time in oak, typically for up to 12 months or so, but generally to a lower level versus St Emilion proper.
2019 Chateau Bel Air Lussac Saint Emilion $25
This wine was purchased at K&L in San Francisco
K&L Wine Merchants – https://www.klwines.com/
https://www.chateau-belair.com/index.php/en/
2019 Vieux Chateau Palon Montagne Saint Emilion $25
Currently promo at Total Wine & More through the 2nd of September, 2024
Chapter markers:
0:00 – 0:28 Intro
0:29 – 2:12 Overview of the St Emilion Satellites
2:13 – 2:32 Recent Vintage Assessment
2:33 – 4:56 Wine 1 Review
4:57 – 7:41 Wine 2 review
7:42 – 11:20 Retaste After Aerating
#bordeaux #merlot #winetasting #winelife #wine #mwlife #wineculture #wineeducation #frenchwine #bargains #winelover #wset #totalwine #bobpaulinski #masterofwine #winetime #wine
15 Comments
this is great stuff. please keep the content coming. thanks
Would you fully decant these wines if I find them
Great video as usual. Thanks, Bob! Just picked up a bottle of Vietti Barbera D’Asti from your last video!
Very much appreciate "daily drinker" friendly $25-ish Bordeaux. I get a lot of value from your wine-specific aging insights and decanting/aeration feedback. When to pop the cork is always my biggest challenge for the age-worthy wines I squirrel away.
Great video to remind us that not all Bordeaux wines come from Margaux. I love how a growing number of “off” appellation Chateau’s add more data on the back label. I do love right bank wines. Looks like I’m going shopping. Thank you!
Bob do you suggest one of these if I have never found Merlots that I have liked? You have been 2 for 2 with me for your French recommendations.
I had too many so-so Bordeaux wines to buy $50+ wines to be disappointed, BUT I’ve had a few that are stunning. My latest is Chateau Gloria Saint-Julien. It’s not a Grand Cru. I bought it at TJ’s before I retired from there (it never sold because it was $50, not the $6 plonk they normally sell), and it was awesome. With my 20% discount I bought 3 more bottles. Really brambly earthy black fruit. Way different from any California wine that I love.
Thank you for yet another great educational video, Bob! BTW, I just bought a new sparkling wine at TJ: their Sonoma County Blanc de Blanc Reserve 2021 for $10. I thought it was the best bubbly under $10 I have ever tried. Its aroma and taste are very close to the classical Champaign ones. Did you have a chance to try it? It would be great to hear your professional opinion. Cheers!
I'm a big fan of St Emilion wines. Thanks for introducing these two values wines. I really like this style of video, the intimacy, as if you are talking to us, across the table. Your reaction to the wine says a lot. Maybe you should consider doing a live stream with a couple of bottles. We'd get the same bottles and you could walk us through the tasting.
Love St Emillion. Have about dozen from the 2017 to 2019 aging away in the cellar.
Excellent presentation. You sir are the best. I love the way you pop the worthless corks over your shoulder into your room. I wonder how many sit there, or do you pick them up?😂.
I am the dissident 4 buck Chuck aficionado. I tested the actual Charles Shaw Red Blend. Undrinkable, let it sit open for a several hours and re-cork. 2021 drinkable at this point, but I give it a three, highly fruity needs another two years in the bottle.
My favorite under $5 wine is Blackstone. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are excellent for the money. My grocery sells them for $4.56 a bottle, drinkable straight out of the bottle as is. To all of the extremely pricey wine aficionados, piss off🤣😂😎
Had a bottle with dinner tonite. St. Emilion even at Trader Joe's is a no-brainer.
Another wonderful video. I’m a Right Bank fan, St. Emil lion and Pomerol, of course, but especially the bargains that can be found in Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac, and the two downriver areas of Blaye and Cotes-de-Bourg.
If I could, I’d run your videos on loop at the store where I sell wine. They are so engaging, approachable and helpful.
I knew nothing about the Saint Émilion satellites other than they existed! I'll keep an eye next time I go to a wine shop in Madrid. Looks like really good value Bordeaux! I've been offered the yearly wooden box displaying four right bank Bordeaux for 25EUR. It doesn't look bad, but none too good either. They've changed a couple Côtes de Bordeaux for two Bordeaux Supérieurs, not entirely sure if that's a good or a bad thing 🤣 Cheers!
Saint Emilion satellite appellations do offer incredible QPR and are pretty food friendly wines. Nice hearing about the 2020 vintage in Bordeaux. Thanks for revisiting the wines after a few hours.
That gives more insight into the complexity and potential of the wine. This is your USP and sets you apart from other YouTube wine critics. Cheers!