{"title":"GB Napa vs Bordeaux 8.15.24","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"guiraud-bordeaux-blanc-2017","title":"Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc Sec Le \"G\"","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt is no secret that Sauternes produces some the greatest white wines on earth. What \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eis\u003c\/em\u003e a secret is that they are not all sweet wines, as many people assume. The winemaker has a choice– to make Sauternes sweet or dry. And when they choose dry, we’re in for one of the most delicious, exciting white wine rides of our lives:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLe “G” de Chateau Guiraud is a wonderful example of the dizzying heights that white Bordeaux can reach.  Its complex aromas broadcast quince, yellow plum, grapefruit and lychee. This blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon aged in one-year-old Sauternes barrels (the estate also makes a fantastic Sauternes—see below).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOn the palate, you’re treated to a combination of bone-dry minerality, exotic, slightly Near East spices (think saffron, Aleppo pepper and cinnamon), and a gloriously rich fruit component. This is so delicious you’re not just going to drink a glass, you’re going to drink a bottle – and then come back for a case!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you’re hip to Sauternes, you know of the incomparable, “above all others” per the 1855 classification, is Chateau is d’Yquem. And that is darn delicious stuff. Drink it as often as you can—especially if someone else is paying.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOur little gem today, Guiraud, was founded in 1766 along a continuous border with Chateau d’Yquem on the same \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e and, along with d’Yquem, is the only Sauternes producer within the borders of Sauternes. The idea probably was to become rivals. But, the Guirauds were loud and proud Christians, putting a chapel on the property in order to worship. This did not pair well with revolutionary sentiment, and Guiraud entered a long period of decline.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFinally in 2006, a partnership of three famous Bordelaise vintners bought the property with the grand and noble ambition to make it finally equal its neighborly rival. The vineyard was converted completely to biodynamics. A conservatory of grape varieties was developed containing all 135 original strains of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAs Wine Master Jasper Morris puts it:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Guiraud is a very ambitious property with aspirations to produce a wine that will one day rival d`Yquem. The wines are astonishingly rich, especially in light of the high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc in the blend, and are undoubtedly amongst the finest wines being produced in Sauternes today.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Select Sellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43224518721769,"sku":"550305","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/products\/image_d99c6b9c-3b85-4ee1-9839-154a4d0e10e9.png?v=1634418462"},{"product_id":"le-comte-de-malartic-2015","title":"Le Comte de Malartic","description":"","brand":"Select Sellars","offers":[{"title":"2019","offer_id":47653713314025,"sku":"6084","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2016","offer_id":47653715017961,"sku":"55997816","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/files\/IMG-8280.png?v=1712251637"},{"product_id":"le-g-destournel","title":"G d'Estournel 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eCos d’Estournel - the bold, the beautiful, the monumental Bordeaux Second Growth that often and repeatedly scores 100 points from multiple critics, besting its next-door-neighbor First Growths at all levels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCos d’Estournel - the wild and crazy French chateau that features pagodas, elephants complete with Hathi Howdah; whose very name itself breaks all French language pronunciation rules you could think of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCos - the hugely internationally successful winery that introduced a bold, new creation of a wine in 2004 named Goulée. Made at the exact same quality level as its Grand Vin yet to be drunk more forward. What could be better that enjoying your Cos without a decade-long wait?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYet, to my understanding it was a total failure. Not because of the wine, but maybe because pronounced incorrectly by Americans, it sounds like an evil fantasy creature. And even pronounced correctly, it sounds like that very same creature is doing something you don’t want it to do. And, if my Chinglish still stands, the name would render to “fluffy yellow dim-sum cake” in that huge wine market. Darn international marketing is hard!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut all kidding about the name aside, Cos d’Estournel does make truly sensational Bordeaux wines. And they are all rather dear on the wallet. In 2004, the chateau introduced a new wine, the above-mentioned Goulée. I remember Goulée’s introduction, and not only was the pitch terribly confusing, but the name seriously didn’t help.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo with this vintage, the 2019, Cos got it right and cleaned things up and made the wine entirely clear - “G” is crafted with the same dedication and expertise as the Grand Vin, but it comes from a vineyard in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, instead of Saint Estephe. In essence, Cos is following in the footsteps of many other Bordeaux chateaux and producing a “third” wine from the region surrounding their home vineyards in order to introduce clients to the style of Cos d’Estournel. As they say, and I entirely believe - this is the perfect introduction to the winery:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 vintage of G d’Estournel delivers vivacity and balance; it is at once fresh and rich, vigorous and discreet. Vibrant and highly spirited, with unmistakable notes of pepper, it is a long, silky wine, whose nose of blackcurrant and violet is highlighted by aromas of eucalyptus, thyme and rosemary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you love Cos d’Estournel - or Bordeaux in general - this is a wine not to miss.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Select Sellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45318834487529,"sku":"554403","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/products\/image_8b255c72-356c-4aa2-845f-16f4df443827.png?v=1678903150"},{"product_id":"chateau-beaumont-haut-medoc","title":"Chateau Beaumont Haut Medoc","description":"\u003cp\u003eCritical acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"93 points. A linear and polished young red with compact, silky tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant, mushroom and spice character. Very solid wine from here.\" - James Suckling\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"92 points. Coming from a beautiful château in the Haut-Médoc, the 2020 Château Beaumont sports a deep purple hue as well as solid red and black fruits interwoven with lots of tobacco, crushed stone, and graphite-like aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium-bodied portion of the spectrum, it has beautiful mid-palate depth, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. It will drink well on release yet benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for over a decade. This is a classic, impeccably made Haut-Médoc.\" - Jeb Dunnuck\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Select Sellars","offers":[{"title":"2020","offer_id":47720139653353,"sku":"55050220","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2018","offer_id":47720139686121,"sku":"550505218","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/files\/IMG-7252.png?v=1698341110"},{"product_id":"quilt-napa-valley-cabernet-sauvignon-reserve","title":"Quilt Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve","description":"","brand":"Breakthru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45761132462313,"sku":"","price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"ghost-block-estate-cabernet-sauvignon-2020","title":"Ghost Block Estate Cabernet Sauvignon","description":null,"brand":"AVA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45825493598441,"sku":"5726","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"elizabeth-rose-cabernet-sauvignon-chockablock","title":"Elizabeth Rose Chockablock Cabernet Blend","description":"","brand":"AVA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46166283813097,"sku":"5434","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/files\/Stockbottlewhitelabel_a49152e5-1899-42a5-9bdf-37fb37a4a6fc.png?v=1717953538"},{"product_id":"provenance-vineyards-napa-valley-merlot","title":"Provenance Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley","description":"","brand":"Breakthru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47559995523305,"sku":"9699716","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/files\/ProvenanceMerlot.png?v=1721588378"},{"product_id":"chateau-tronquoy-saint-estephe","title":"Chateau Tronquoy Saint Estephe 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eCritical acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"94 points. \u003cspan\u003eThis is really complex and perfumed, with an extremely attractive bouquet of flowers and dark fruit, such as currants. Full-bodied with crushed stones and chewy tannins, yet there’s polish and sophistication to it. Serious bottle here.\" - James Suckling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"94 points. \u003cspan\u003eThe 2019 Tronquoy-Lalande is made from 50% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offers fragrant notes of rose oil, Indian spices, and licorice over a core of creme de cassis and stewed plums, plus a hint of lavender. The full-bodied palate is firm and sturdy, with grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to match the muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy.\" - Lisa Perrotti Brown (formerly of Wine Advocate)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"93 points. Savoury aspects to the nose here, black truffles and dark chocolate. Such a dark fruit profile - black plums, cherries, prunes, some fig, really majoring on the ripe black fruits with some treacle and coffee notes. Fine but grippy tannins also really take hold in the mouth producing quite a full style - dense and filling. An intersting, nuanced palate with just enough acidity to keep things fresh and balance the deep fruit profile. I like this style a lot.\" - Decanter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Select Sellars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47653635162345,"sku":"559977","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/2805\/7022\/files\/IMG-0077.png?v=1732139579"}],"url":"https:\/\/waterfordwine.com\/collections\/gb-napa-vs-bordeaux-8-15-24.oembed?page=2","provider":"Waterford Wine and Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}