Le Petit Comptoir Rouge 2023

Cab franc meets merlot and a splash of cabernet sauvignon in this joyful, youthful take on Bordeaux.

This is a conversation starter alongside being a damn fine wine. Bordeaux is known for its more button down, blazers-with-elbow-patches kind of wines, but this, from a contemporary, revolutionary younger winemaker defies the staid nature of the region with biodynamic farming and expressive, natural winemaking. It’s loose knit but finds a good smudge of silty tannins, shows of cassis, bay leaf and clove spice characters, while feeling medium weight it also sits lighter than expected in the palate, with a cool, bright finish in tow. It’s a wonderful wine, and the defiance of Bordeaux’s standards makes it all the more exciting.  

2022 // 750ml // ABV 13%

Similar: Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Julien Mingot, Merlot