"Odedi"

9.0

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, blackberries, sweet cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, light vegetables and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, spices, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, licorice, pencil lead and earth.

Medium finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a tasty Merlot based blend from Margaux. Elegant, complex and nicely balanced.

This second wine from Château Lascombes is rich and fruit forward. Feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux with a touch of New World.

I had the 2018 not too long ago and this one is drinking much better now. Would be nice to revisit it in a couple of years.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 16 months in used French oak barrels.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40. — 7 days ago

romo

9.2

Put these down and watch the angry tannin melt away. Lighter-bodied right banker. — 5 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

bright and sharp. Lemon and slate. Dazzling and pretty — a month ago

with Matt and Paul

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou – 2021
AOC Saint-Julien – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
The second wine of the famed 2nd Growth Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, crafted under the stewardship of the Borie family. The 2021 vintage carries the estate’s signature terroir of deep gravel soils (“beaux cailloux” meaning “beautiful stones”), producing wines with elegance, depth, and longevity. Typical blend leans on Cabernet Sauvignon 64%, Merlot 32% and Petit Verdot 4% for a compelling profile.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum layered with graphite, tobacco, and cedar. Secondary notes of violets, cocoa powder, and subtle spice add depth and intrigue.

Mouthfeel
Firm tannic backbone with a silky texture emerging mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied, offering precision and finesse over sheer power. Fresh acidity frames the fruit, finishing long with mineral-driven elegance.

Food Pairings
Ribeye steak, venison, or duck confit, gourmet burgers, grilled portobello mushrooms, or truffle pizza. Aged Comté, Ossau-Iraty, or sharp Cheddar.

Verdict
A true Saint-Julien expression, structured yet polished, approachable in youth but built to evolve. This second wine offers a taste of Ducru’s pedigree without the grand vin price tag.

Did You Know?
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou earned its name from the large “beautiful stones” (cailloux) that dominate the vineyard’s gravel soils, perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in heat-retentive terroir.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: For lovers of Left Bank Bordeaux, this is a perfect introduction to Ducru’s magic, refined, powerful, and unmistakably Saint-Julien at a very affordable price point. Cheers! — 13 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Golden and rich. Honey, corn, rounded lemon. Really settled and mature but still fresh with great balanced acidity. Really excellent. — 25 days ago

with Matt and David

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Significantly better than the 2008 Lynch-Bages I had the other night.

Domaine De Chevalier is one of the more underrated or under appreciated Bordeaux producers.

The nose shows; beautiful dry, red flowers, black currants, brambly blackberries, ripe; dark cherries & strawberries, black plum, hints of raspberries, anise, dry herbs, mid baking spices, loamy earthiness, dark spice, dry tobacco/leather, graphite, barrel toast, bright red flowers and liquid violets.

M+ dark meaty tannins. Ripe, juicy, gorgeous fruits; black currants, brambly blackberries, dark cherries & strawberries, black plum, hints of raspberries, red licorice, red to mid berry cola, touch of black licorice, anise, dry herbs, mid baking spices-light clove/nutmeg, cinnamon & light vanillin, dark spices with a little palate heat, loamy earthiness, dark spice w/ some palate heat, dry tobacco/leather, graphite, charcoal, pebbles, some soft mushroom, barrel toast, bright red flowers and liquid violets. Really nice rainfall acidity, well tensioned/structured still w/ age, nicely balanced with an elegant, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & earth.

15 yrs of good drinking ahead.

@BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne. Balance Restaurant is one of the very best meals I’ve had out in a very longtime. — a month ago

Alan Weinberg

9.5

Just stunning wine in a good place. No rush to drink—a bit of Ramonet mint, excellent acidity. Very refined. — 11 days ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.1

Cute label. Color is pretty. Smells of the river rocks and berry compote. Hint of smoke. Flavors are juicy and complex. Plenty of minerals. Balance is great. Floral and fresh. — 6 days ago

Tom Jenkins

9.2

Exceptional Sonoma cab. Big, dark, soft and lush. Jammy in texture, dark cherry finish — 13 days ago

Xista

9.1

Light tannin - tobacco leather - dark ruby red — 6 days ago