From: Bordeaux, France
Varietal: Malbec
Taste: This unique Bordeaux Superieur is a complex and expressive wine made entirely from the Malbec grape! It pours a deep, dark ruby color in the glass, with a hint of purple at the edges. On the nose, the wine is rich and inviting, with aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry, and violets, embraced by notes of tobacco flower, cigar wrapper, a hint of baking spice, and rich leather. There is a subtle leafy tone to the fruit, adding to the wine's complexity. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and velvety, with a lush texture that fills the mouth. The flavors echo the aromas, with ripe blackberry, plum skin, bing cherry & violet notes leading the way, followed by accents of baking spice, leather, and tobacco. The tannins are firm and well-structured, adding depth and balance to the wine. The finish is long and satisfying, with a hint of spice that lingers on the palate.
Critical Acclaim: Decanter 95 pt D "Warm, rich, lively and imbued with blackberry, plum, cherry and violets. This is ample but accessible, with a leafy tone to the fruits. An excellent reading of pure Malbec and well worth seeking out." - Decanter
Pairing: This excellent “everyday sipping” red is also an extremely food-friendly wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Its rich and supple textures and spicy personality make it perfect for grilled or barbecued meats and sausage, making it an excellent choice for a summer barbecue. It also pairs well with beef, veal, chicken, pork, braised or stewed dishes, and spicy cuisine.
For a general pairing, try this wine with a grilled ribeye steak, seasoned with salt and pepper and served with a side of roasted vegetables. The richness of the steak will complement the wine's flavors of dark fruit and leather, while the roasted vegetables will add a touch of freshness and balance to the pairing. Beef, veal, chicken, pork, and sausage are all great options to pair with this wine.
For a truly “Malbec-at-home” type of pairing, consider pairing this wine with a traditional Cassoulet, a hearty French stew made with white beans, sausage, duck confit, and pork (we’re sharing a lean version of this, made with lamb, below). The rich and complex flavors of the Cassoulet will complement the wine's depth and layers, creating a harmonious and satisfying pairing.
For a vegetarian pairing, try this wine with a mushroom risotto, made with Arborio rice, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. The earthy and umami flavors of the mushrooms will pair well with the wine's dark fruit and leather notes, while the creaminess of the risotto will match the wine's smooth and velvety texture. This humble red is also amazing with a grilled portobello mushroom burger or roasted vegetable lasagna. The wine's ripe fruit flavors and lush texture will complement the meaty flavors of the mushrooms or the richness of the roasted vegetables.
Cassoulet-Style Lamb Shanks and Beans
By David Tanis
About. The 2019 Chateau Guillaume Blanc Bordeaux Superieur "Le Malbec" is a 100% Malbec wine from Bordeaux, France that is making waves in the wine world with its rich and layered flavors. This wine is especially unique as it is made entirely from Malbec, which is uncommon for the Bordeaux appellation.
Malbec has a rich history in Bordeaux and was one of the original five main Bordeaux wine grape varietals. It was originally known as Auxerrois and later as Noir de Pressac before being renamed Malbec in honor of Sieur Malbek, who brought the grape from the Right Bank to the Left Bank of Bordeaux.
Despite its popularity in Bordeaux prior to the phylloxera epidemic, Malbec struggled to ripen in the region and was prone to various diseases and problems such as frost, mildew, and coulure. After the famous frost of 1956, growers began replacing Malbec with varieties better suited to the region like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Today, Malbec continues to decline in popularity in Bordeaux and is only used as a minor part of blends. However, a few chateaux still have small plantings of Malbec in their vineyards, such as Domaine de Chevalier and Chateau Cheval Blanc.
In contrast, Malbec has become the star grape of Argentina, where it produces deep-colored, rich wines with freshness, balanced acidity, and flavors of plum and blackberry. Malbec is particularly well-suited to the dry climate, sunny weather, and high elevations of Mendoza, Argentina, where it is the undisputed star of the show.
The 2019 Chateau Guillaume Blanc Bordeaux Superieur "Le Malbec" is an excellent example of what Malbec can achieve in Bordeaux. It has a warm, rich, and lively aroma with notes of blackberry, plum, cherry, and violets. The wine is ample but accessible, with a leafy tone to the fruits, showcasing a pure Malbec reading that is well worth seeking out.
In summary, the 2019 Chateau Guillaume Blanc Bordeaux Superieur "Le Malbec" is a standout wine that showcases the potential of Malbec in Bordeaux. While the grape may have fallen out of favor in the region, this wine proves that it still has a place in the Bordeaux appellation and is worth seeking out for its rich and layered flavors.
