2005 Chateau Des Jaubertes Marquis de Pontac, Grand Vin de Graves, Bordeaux This elegantly packaged red has an appearance of dense ruby with youthful purple edge. Blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, 25 year old vines. The nose is of black currants, red plum, fresh herbs, terroir and with touch of vanilla. Medium bodied, flashy (due to a moderate, but extended growing season in 2005) with gentle grip of tannins and spicy berry finish.  Great value. Under $30 in Canada. Restaurant friendly for by-the-glass pour. Would be magnificent with roasted lamb saddle, stuffed with crimini, shitake mushrooms, spinach and carmelized onions with rosemary scented scalloped potatoes and grilled asparagus. Rating:  4 STARS.

Background Notes:

A great value Bordeaux from Graves.

It will be available late May or early June 2007 in Ontario.  I had also met M. Emmanuel de Pontac who's a great dude, driven by passion and much determined to maintain his family's aim for tradition, but in an upbeat "tempo" way.  He's been overseeing winery operations the past four years.  He tells me that the chateau has been is his family's possession for almost 500 years now. They have 25 ha of land planted to vine (23 ha planted under red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot) and produce about 12,000 cases of wine in a normal year. Oldest vines are 70 years old, planted in classic Graves soils of gravel, sand, alluvial silt with limestone bedrock and deep yellow clay.

First time they'll be attempting to "penetrate" the Canadian / North American market.  This wine will be under the umbrella of the consignment program in Ontario, targeting the premium licencee market.

Zoltan Szabo, Sommelier           zoltanszabo.ca