Cheap Bordeaux is plentiful, but it doesn’t mean that it’s good Bordeaux.  While some of the top wines come from the region, they also carry top price tags.  At under $10, can Chateau La Blanchetterie offer something great from the cheap seats?

Sight:  A firm purple in the core leaning toward red in the center.  Barely transparent, and consistent to the edges.

Smell:  The nose is particularly fragrant, with lots of plums, violets, and black pepper.  The floral notes are particularly interesting along side the spice, and mixtures of berries compliment well.   A touch of herb and earth comes into play.

Sip:    The body is light-medium, but the also silken and smooth.  This isn’t to say it lacks brightness, in fact it’s very balanced.  The flavors of violets, plum skin, and blackberries all come through cleanly, with small hints of spice.

Savor:  The finish is incredibly long, with smooth tannins, plenty of violets, hints of currants and flecks of raspberry.

Chateau La Blanchetterie is very well balanced, and has great flavor and finish.  While the violet flavor isn’t normally what you’d expect from a merlot, the earthiness and fruit mixing with the floral elements creates a very beautiful element.  That said, it doesn’t exactly drive complexity, and the body lacks a little weight.  Still, these are minor points that shouldn’t dissuade from trying Chateau La Blanchetterie 2014.

Verdict:  Violets, Blackberries, Plums, Silky
Rating: 88
Price: $9
Bordeaux, France