Esta é uma daquelas listas da Wine Spectator das quais morremos de inveja! Um Bordeaux de ótima qualidade por menos de 30 dólares (cerca de R$50) é algo distante de nós brasileiros. De qualquer modo, utilizando um fator de conversão realista, é plausível admitir que eles custem até R$150, no máximo...
Como são vinhos menos conhecidos, julguei ser importante mostrar todos os rótulos. Se você encontrar algum por aí com preço razoável, me avise!
1. CHÂTEAU LE THIL Pessac-Léognan Comte Clary 2008
Score: 91 points Price: $18.00
This bold red delivers big, ripe flavors of blackberry and boysenberry, with licorice, tobacco and dark chocolate notes. The tannins are muscular and chewy, but give way to floral and mineral on the fresh, clean finish. Best from 2014 through 2022. 3,750 cases made.
2. CHÂTEAU BEAUREGARD Pomerol 2008
Score: 91 points Price: $19.00
This generous red offers ripe plum, fig, cola and sandalwood flavors over muscular tannins. The thick texture and sanguine, earthy flavors are dense and austere now, but the wine has balance and length. Best from 2014 through 2022. 4,165 cases made.
3. CHÂTEAU ROLLAND-MAILLET St.-Emilion 2008
Score: 91 points Price: $30.00
This rich red is almost jammy in texture, but well-integrated tannins keep it focused. Ripe blackberry and currant flavors mingle with cola and graphite notes that are polished and harmonious. A big, bold wine that remains balanced and approachable. Drink now through 2016. 750 cases made.
4. CHÂTEAU DE MACARD Bordeaux Supérieur 2009
Score: 90 points Price: $15.00
Ripe and dense, but fresh, with silky-textured plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit carried by sweet spice and maduro tobacco notes. The fleshy finish shows nice drive. Should open up more with brief cellaring. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2011. 5,000 cases made.
5. CLOS PUY ARNAUD Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $21.00
This red has an extra dimension of ripeness, adding blueberry compote to the usual array of fig and blackberry flavors, while staying fresh and driven. Spice, sweet tobacco and graphite notes drive through on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2013. 2,000 cases made.
6. CHÂTEAU D'AIGUILHE Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $22.00
This lush, expressive red is rich with ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis, framed with coffee bean and dark chocolate. The tannins are firm but well-integrated, and juicy acidity keeps the wine fresh and bright through the spicy finish. Best from 2012 through 2020. 10,000 cases made.
7. CHÂTEAU DE LA RIVIÈRE Fronsac 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $24.00
A slightly rounder style of Fronsac, with perfumy lilac and violet notes, followed by hints of mulled spice, fig bread and dark currant fruit, which linger on the slightly chewy, toasty finish. Drink now through 2014. 16,666 cases made.
8. CHÂTEAU DALEM Fronsac 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $25.00
This has a broader feel, with roasted mesquite and maduro tobacco notes up front, pushed by a streak of freshly brewed espresso. There's a core of plum and red currant fruit in reserve, held in check for now by chalk-edged tannins. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2015. 5,000 cases made.
9. CHÂTEAU LA TOUR FIGEAC St.-Emilion 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $28.00
A lush style, with lots of velvety-textured mashed currant, fig sauce and plum notes, all laced with a mouthwatering licorice snap note that adds length to the finish. There's good latent grip. Drink now through 2015. 2,665 cases made.
10. CHÂTEAU LATOUR-MARTILLAC Pessac-Léognan 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $29.00
Mulled plum and spice notes are backed by a solid fleshy feel, with tar, cassis bush and espresso hints filling in the back end. A tarry streak still rides through the finish, but this has slightly better polish as well. Drink now through 2015. 11,600 cases made.
11. LA FLEUR DE BOÜARD Lalande-de-Pomerol 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $29.00
Quite toasty, with lots of coffee and warm cocoa notes, followed by mulled fig, plum and black currant fruit and a healthy dose of maduro tobacco on the broad, fleshy finish. Not shy in style, but good underlying acidity keeps it all together. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2014. 4,580 cases made.
12. CHÂTEAU CORBIN St.-Emilion 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $30.00
Dark and winey at first, this turns suave and elegant as intriguing black currant, fig and licorice aromas and flavors pick up Lapsang Souchong tea and graphite notes on the long, polished finish, with a nice mineral hint. Drink now through 2015. 3,416 cases made.
13. CHÂTEAU DE FIEUZAL Pessac-Léognan 2007
Score: 90 points Price: $30.00
This has inviting toasty, cocoa-tinged aromatics that give way to a firm, solid core of dark plum, blackberry and fig paste, all backed by a tarry but rounded finish. Very polished. Drink now through 2013.
14. CHÂTEAU DE FIEUZAL Pessac-Léognan 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $30.00
This distinctive red offers dark, almost roasted flavors of plum, black bread, anise and espresso. Chewy tannins support the oak that frames the core of black fruit. A bit exaggerated, but has power. Best from 2014 through 2022. 9,000 cases made.
15. CHÂTEAU PINDEFLEURS St.-Emilion 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $30.00
This has ample toast, with hefty coffee and bittersweet cocoa notes fronting for dark plum and roasted fig fruit. The toasty side dominates the broad, muscular finish for now. But the core is there, so cellar. Best from 2012 through 2015. 4,000 cases made.
