Wine of the Week: Clos Magne Figeac Saint-Emilion 2010

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather, and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.” ―

John Keats

I was once asked the question, do you do Bordeaux? Do I "'do" Bordeaux, ha, did Debbie do Dallas? Hell yes, I do Bordeaux and in my ever not so humble opinion, if you're not into Bordeaux it's only because you don't understand it yet. Possibly, you're new to wine and are not able to appreciate its subtleties. It was true for me, at the beginning of my own wine journey. The beauty of Bordeaux was lost on me. If you are a vino-sapiens raised up on California wine, Bordeaux is a shock to the system, leaving most folks befuddled by a word not often found in New World wines, restraint.

My wine of the week comes from Clos Magne Figeac Saint-Emilion 2010, and fortunately, this vintage is now widely available. This wine did come to my attention via CIVB, who had it sent my way as a sample. It comes from producers whose vineyards had been originally held by the world-renowned Chateau Figeac, hence the namesake still on the bottle.

One of the 100 Top Wines $55 and under picked by an august panel of experts to represent the best of reasonably priced Bordeaux available to wine enthusiasts, wines which over-deliver in this price category. A delicious Merlot dominated blend, perfumed with 22% Cabernet Franc. Still, a very young wine, sporting youthful tannin and grip, dark ripe plums and ripe blackberry fruit sing a merry tune, on the mid-palate, filling your mouth with joy, but a spine of acid keeps things harmonious.

The other usual suspects also attend the party, leather, underbrush, and licorice. The finish is long and pleasing; you'll be sad when this bottle is gone, of that, there is no doubt. That said, once this vintage hits store shelves, don't hesitate, this is case purchase territory. The average price for this wine is $24 a price to quality ratio that's hard to beat. My score for this wine is a solid 93 points.