Bordeaux 2010 Cru Bourgeois, an excellent guide

The view from St Emilion, October 2012

If, like me, you regard the Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux 'classification' as packed full of hidden gems, but also confusing in its makeup and history, then take a look at this post from Chris Kissack.

He's right I think, in saying this is where to find incredible value in the 2010 Bordeaux reds.

But one has to be very careful, as more and more wines are allowed in, and some poor quality plonk now uses the label. More on that, here.

I certainly have begun to try and find the decent value 2009/10 drinkers, and it's hard going (and it feels sinful to drink them so young).

Kissack writes that, regarding the 2010:

"Many châteaux set new records for their prix de sortie. In such a situation, what can the Bordeaux-hungry drinker on a budget do? Look abroad for alternatives, to California or South America, as suggested by Benjamin Lewin MW in a recent edition of The World of Fine Wine? It hardly seems like a sensible solution to me, as such plainly warmer climes are bound to give a fleshier and darker wine, lovely in their own right perhaps, but a poor substitute for the cool climate style we have in Bordeaux. Much more logical is to look to Bordeaux itself, beyond the cru classé estates, to the wines of the cru bourgeois and other 'lesser' châteaux."

Here's a link to his review of the 2010 wines and tasting notes. A useful guide for red wine drinkers.