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Walking through three centuries of epic history – along the southeast facing entrance to La Citadelle

For a mere eight Euros (or a little below nine US dollars, at the current exchange rate), I recently sampled dozens of wines within an ancient fortress in the southwest of France. In the 17th century King Louis XlV commissioned the military architect Vauban to construct a defense fortification within the city of Blaye (pronounced ‘bl-EYE’). This formed one of twelve strategic works Vauban constructed throughout France. The sprawling ‘La Citadelle’ structure housed a defense garrison poised to fight invaders, or patrol against pirates sailing the turbulent, wide waters of the Gironde estuary.

Today, the massive Citadelle complex includes remnants of an ancient prison and water wells, as well as a functioning vineyard. This recent Printemps des Vins de Blaye – Spring Wines of Blaye – showcased wines from 80 winemakers –vignerons –ย from a total of 700 who produce wine for the appellation Blayeย Cรดtes de Bordeaux. This 600 hectare (15,000 acre) wine growing region perches north and east of the city of Bordeaux along the banks of the wide, island-dotted, waters of the Gironde.

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The definitive sign that spring has hit Bordeaux

Soils here include mostly clay and limestone. Unlike the predominantly gravel soils on the west bank of the Gironde (which favor Cabernet Sauvignon), the more abundant clays along the east bank retain moisture and coolness, favoring the Merlot grape. Red wines in the Blaye appellation are generally based on Merlot blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and sometimes Petit Verdot.

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Colors and creation as backdrop to well-crafted wines

IMG_2346DSC_9420DSC_9410IMG_2342This annual event included food halls, musicians, and workshops/exhibits – including a cooper toasting wood staves and shaping wine barrels. Most Blaye wines are extremely good. Some are truly excellent. Most wines from this appellation are a bargain for their price.

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Defense point for Europe’s largest estuary

Value scores in the table below were generated by the proprietaryย Vino ValueTMย algorithm*, and are for red wines only.

Wine Retail Price – Euros Retail Price – US dollars equivalent Value Score
Chateau Moulin de Prade 2009 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Mondรฉsir-Gazin 2011 โ‚ฌ 14.00 $15.35 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Marquis de Vauban La Cuvรฉe du Roy โ‚ฌ 17.00 $18.64 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau le Cรดne 2010 Monarque โ‚ฌ 14.50 $15.90 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Magdeleine Bouhou 2012 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Magdeleine Bouhou 2011 โ‚ฌ 6.50 $7.13 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Lโ€™Espรฉrance 2010 Cuvรฉe Trois Frรฉres โ‚ฌ 15.00 $16.45 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Millards 2010 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Millards 2010 Cuvรฉe Prestige โ‚ฌ 15.00 $16.45 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Nodot 2007 โ‚ฌ 6.50 $7.13 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Nodot 2010 โ‚ฌ 9.50 $10.42 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Margagnis 2011 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Margagnis 2012 โ‚ฌ 6.50 $7.13 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Chaumes 2006 โ‚ฌ 8.00 $8.77 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Chaumes L’Impertenente 2014 โ‚ฌ 6.80 $7.46 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau La Cassagne-Boutet 2011 โ‚ฌ 12.00 $13.16 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau La Cassagne-Boutet 2012 โ‚ฌ 12.00 $13.16 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
La Cassagne – Les Angeles 2012 โ‚ฌ 20.00 $21.93 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau La Brettonniรจre 2010 Excellence โ‚ฌ 9.00 $9.87 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau La Brettonniรจre 2010 Stรฉphanie Heurlier โ‚ฌ 12.50 $13.71 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Tour-Saint-Germaine 2010 โ‚ฌ 8.50 $9.32 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Tour-Saint-Germaine 2012 โ‚ฌ 15.00 $16.45 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Vieux Planty 2011 Prestige โ‚ฌ 5.90 $6.47 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Vieux Planty 2011 Prรฉlude โ‚ฌ 7.50 $8.23 Good Value โ™ซ
Domaine du Casssard 2011 โ‚ฌ 6.10 $6.69 Good Value โ™ซ
Domaine du Casssard 2013 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Domaine du Cassard Prestige 2012 โ‚ฌ 8.20 $8.99 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Crusquet De Lagarcie 2012 โ‚ฌ 7.50 $8.23 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Berthenon 2010 Cuvรฉe Henri โ‚ฌ 7.50 $8.23 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Berthenon 2012 Cuvรฉe Chloรฉ โ‚ฌ 14.50 $15.90 Good Value โ™ซ
Domaine Maison De La Reine 2012 โ‚ฌ 6.70 $7.35 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Domaine Maison De La Reine 2012 Cuvรฉe Expression โ‚ฌ 12.80 $14.04 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Le Chay 2010 โ‚ฌ 7.45 $8.17 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Le Chay 2012 โ‚ฌ 7.15 $7.84 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Peyreyie 2010 โ‚ฌ 5.80 $6.36 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Peyreyie 2011 โ‚ฌ 5.90 $6.47 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Jonqueyres 2012 โ‚ฌ 16.00 $17.55 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Des Tourtes 2010 โ‚ฌ 8.50 $9.32 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Des Tourtes 2012 L’Attribut โ‚ฌ 8.20 $8.99 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Taillou 2012 โ‚ฌ 4.90 $5.37 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Carreyes 2013 โ‚ฌ 5.90 $6.47 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Canteloup 2012 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Grand Renard 2012 Cuvรฉe Prestige โ‚ฌ 6.00 $6.58 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau La Levrette 2009 โ‚ฌ 14.00 $15.35 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Bellevue-Gazin 2005 – Les Barronets โ‚ฌ 7.50 $8.23 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Bel-Air La Royรฉre 2012 L’Espirit โ‚ฌ 12.00 $13.16 Excellent Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Bel-Air La Royรฉre 2012 โ‚ฌ 22.00 $24.13 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Bois-Vert 2010 Cuvรฉe Prestige โ‚ฌ 8.50 $9.32 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Bois-Vert 2009 La Confรญdence โ‚ฌ 14.40 $15.79 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Frรฉdignac 2011 Terroir โ‚ฌ 6.80 $7.46 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Frรฉdignac 2012 La Favorite โ‚ฌ 8.50 $9.32 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau La Motte 2006 โ‚ฌ 10.50 $11.52 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau La Motte 2012 โ‚ฌ 5.75 $6.31 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chateau La Rose Bellevue 2012 Prestige โ‚ฌ 8.00 $8.77 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Puynard 2012 โ‚ฌ 6.00 $6.58 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Puynard 2011 Le Chรฉne โ‚ฌ 8.00 $8.77 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Lagarde 2011 Excellence โ‚ฌ 10.20 $11.19 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau L’Escadre 2009 Tradition โ‚ฌ 6.30 $6.91 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau L’Escadre 2008 Major โ‚ฌ 15.70 $17.22 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Petits Arnauds 2010 Excellence โ‚ฌ 7.30 $8.01 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut Colombier 2008 โ‚ฌ 13.00 (Magnum) $14.26 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut Colombier 2007 โ‚ฌ 8.00 $8.77 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut Colombier 2009 โ‚ฌ 11.00 $12.06 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Morange 2009 Le Vin D’Augustin Morange โ‚ฌ 9.50 $10.42 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Bertrands 2012 โ‚ฌ 6.00 $6.58 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Bertrands 2012 Cuvรฉe Prestige โ‚ฌ 8.00 $8.77 Excellent Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Bertrands 2010 Nectar de Bertrands โ‚ฌ 16.00 $17.55 Good Value โ™ซ
Les Vignerons de Tutiac 2012 Selection โ‚ฌ 5.75 $6.31 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau L’haur du Chay 2013 Cuvรฉe Tradition โ‚ฌ 7.00 $7.68 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau L’haur du Chay 2012 โ‚ฌ 8.00 $8.77 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut La Valette 2012 โ‚ฌ 4.50 $4.94 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut La Valette 2012 Distinction โ‚ฌ 6.10 $6.69 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut La Valette 2013 Distinction โ‚ฌ 6.30 $6.91 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Larrat 2012 โ‚ฌ 5.50 $6.03 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Larrat 2013 โ‚ฌ 6.20 $6.80 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Larrat 2010 โ‚ฌ 7.00 $7.68 Good Value โ™ซ
Chรขteau Moulin de Grillet 2010 โ‚ฌ 6.70 $7.35 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Moulin de Grillet 2010 Les Aisles โ‚ฌ 11.50 $12.61 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau L’Abbaye 2011 โ‚ฌ 5.40 $5.92 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau L’Abbaye 2010 โ‚ฌ 5.80 $6.36 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut Canteloup 2012 โ‚ฌ 4.70 $5.15 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Haut Canteloup 2012 Cuvรฉe Prestige โ‚ฌ 6.70 $7.35 Superlative Value โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซ
Chรขteau Les Pierrรจres 2012 โ‚ฌ 10.60 $11.63 Excellent Value โ™ซโ™ซ
*ย [This algorithm combines subjective and objective data โ€“ including scores from tastings (often multiple), prices per bottle, and others factors that may include distribution, availability, and aging potential. Value scores are relative for wines from the same region. Tastings are not blind. This listing will not include wines that fail to meet a minimum threshold value for scoring.ย โ€˜Superlative โ™ซโ™ซโ™ซโ€™ is the highest scoring, โ€˜Excellent โ™ซโ™ซโ€™ the second highest, and โ€˜Good โ™ซโ€™ is the next highest. This new system was developed and refinedย in early 2015.]
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VINO GRAPES (1)-page-001
In the coming weeks my book Vino Voices will be published as a paperback (as well as in the current electronic ebook form). This site will keep you updated. The new cover is shown above.

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  1. Looks like a good time! And I like the look of the cover!

    1. Yes – great value wines here. All things coming along nicely…

  2. Oh I look forward to seeking out some of thewe wines, Tom. The current US Euro exchange rate makes some of these a veritable bargain ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. It does indeed Chrissie! Americans should take full financial advantage of this current exchange rate and the wine purchase opportunities. Although 2009 and 2010 were stellar, I’ve stashed away all those valued bottles and am now completely in love with 2012 ๐Ÿ™‚

      I suggest a wine rendezvous soon – it’s an Easyjet flight between Bordeaux and Nice…I can arrange airport pickup and nice accommodation for you and your entourage :)…as well as wonderful wine tours of Medoc, St. Emilion, Blaye and Bourg. Regardless, I hope to visit your Riviera region again in the autumn.

      1. Tom, that sounds wonderful! I’d love to visit Bordeaux with a local, can you believe I have never been before? Will have to get my planning hat on for this!

        1. Indeed! VinoExpo is June 14th to 18th, but that might be too heavy-duty for a first visit. I am in Blaye, an hour outside the city. Bordeaux, and parts of Blaye, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and very attractive. Let me know if I can help planning, and can introduce you to local winemakers (and wines ๐Ÿ™‚ ). St. Emilion is also wonderful for a day or two to visit…a bientot!

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