With the 2015 and 2016 vintages in Bordeaux being labeled as “classic” by many in the wine review world, it is prudent to look at other, very good vintages which may be overlooked, and as such offer some great buying opportunities. The 2014 vintage is a great place to start, as it is generally viewed as being very good, and the prices tend to be very reasonable. Here is an example, the 2014 Chateau Pierre 1er. Now I will admit the wine’s name and resulting label is bit confusing. In Burgundy the designation 1er cru means “Premier Cru”, or a step down the quality ladder from the Grand Cru juice. Here the wine is labeled as 1er AND Grand Cru. It is a Saint Emilion Grand Cru which happens to be called 1er, or “Premier”.
Up until 2013, this estate was Chateau Croix Figeac, but changed name and labels in honor of the owners father, Pierre. The name change was precipitated by a lawsuit from Chateau Figeac, their next door neighbor, who was trying to protect their brand image. This was the resulting solution.
Wine: Chateau Pierre 1er
Winery Location: Ste. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: March 2018
Tasting Notes: The wine is a dark red with rich fruit on the nose. Berry fruit is at the core, with some nice nuances, a touch of oak and a little bit of herb. It is just shy of full bodied, with a mid-palate of sustaining fruit and a long finish. This is a quality wine, a good Bordeaux and a very good value. It’s not going to make you forget Chateau Margaux, but it’s also under $20. The 2014 vintage, from our personal experience, is one to stock up on if you are looking for value.
Price Point – We got it on sale for $16, and you can find it under $20.
Would We Buy It? – Yes, we did. This is a good, solid Bordeaux for reasonable money. Chateau Figeac is right next door, but will cost you 5-10 times as much.
If you’re looking for a solid bottle of wine under $20, this fits the bill.
A votre santé!
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