Boundless Bordeaux

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2009-CHATEAU-GREYSAC-MEDOCBordeaux knows no season. I’d be the first to admit that dissecting Bordeaux’s charm is more “comfortable” in the cooler months. But if someone offers me up a nice Medoc on a sizzling August day, my ears still perk up. Such is the case with today’s red, a Bordeaux I have bought, drank and enjoyed since my student days. It is located in the Bas Medoc region, where reds tend to be a little coarse and rough-and-tumble in style. Curiously, the Bas Medoc lies geographically above the Haut Medoc. (The Haut Medoc is smack dab in the middle of more famous regions constituting Left Bank fame.) The Bas is closer to the mouth of the Gironde River and its estuary. Chateau Greysac remains a terrific Bordeaux buy and shows, if any showing need be done, what Bordeaux can deliver any old day.

2012 Chateau Greysac Medoc $18 srp

A medium to deep garnet color. The nose really has a sense of place. (We’re not in Kansas.) Not overly refined, there’s smoky, lightly baked blueberry fruit on the nose, with forest floor, graphite, tobacco and slight funk elements. Soft mouth texture with chocolate-covered sour cherry and cranberry flavors. A bit leafy leaning towards herbal, it shows good body, satisfying mouth texture and a nice lift on the finish. (50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) Aeration improves it now and tannins indicate it can easily age a bit. Drink now-2020.

88/100 points

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Arturo Ciompi

Trained as a classical clarinetist and conductor, Arturo plied his trade for many years in New York, performing with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York City Opera, the American Symphony and countless chamber music groups. While living in Durham, Arturo became the wine manager at two iconic gourmet stores: Fowler’s in Durham and Southern Season in Chapel Hill. He had a wine spot on NPR in the ’90s and has been a continuously published wine journalist since 1997. He has won national awards for his work and is currently writing for Durham Magazine and its weekly blog, “Wine Wednesdays”. In addition, he loves teaching the clarinet. Read more on his website.
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