Château Fort-Lignac Haut-Médoc

By now, you’re certainly heard the hype over the spectacular 2009 vintage in Bordeaux. If you’re looking for a wine with more depth and substance than basic Bordeaux AOC but you don’t want to wait another year for the big names to be released (and several more years waiting for them to be approachable!) Château Fort-Lignac represents the perfect middle-ground. This shows a classic Bordeaux nose of sour cherry, tart blueberry, graphite, decaying leaves, smoldering embers and a finish of mineral and espresso. It’s great now but has the balance and weight to age and even improve. Incidentally, this property was bought a few years back by the family that owns Ducru Beaucaillou, Grand Puy Lacoste, and Haut Batailley, so it’s in some good hands! I look forward to following this wine over the next eight years or more.