Happy New Year, my Rambling Vine readers! I apologize for my long absence. I miss chatting about wines with you, so I’m picking up right now where I left off, because life is short and there are too many definitive wines to be tasted and told about.

This past summer was beautiful and filled with many wonderful things, but it also brought me a life-sucking case of pneumonia (I had rattling lungs while I was writing my last couple posts early in June), followed by the sudden and unexpected passing of my father in August, and then bronchitis a few days after that. It was all I could do just trying to physically heal, grieve, do even a fraction of the bare minimum, and help support my stepmother who was immediately forced to make some big life changes.

It has been devastating and rough and traumatizing.

I have never been quite as physically and then emotionally sapped as I have been these past few months. But God is faithful and He is seeing me through this. I am doing better even as the reality of my dad’s loss is really starting to set in.

I thought in honor of my lovely dad I would share with you a couple of Bordeaux wines – one that my dad gave to me as part of my Christmas present one year, and one I picked on a whim at Costco. Both wines are 2020 vintages and were bought at Costco, where my Dad was a huge customer. I smile when I recall how much he loved Yellow Tail Australian Chardonnay, but also the expensive Napa Cabs he got me a couple different times that I barely shared with anyone else because they were so mind-blowingly, earth-shatteringly good.

So, the first one from my Dad was the 2020 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur. Apparently Bordeaux Supérieur wines do have higher standards for quality above regular Bordeaux appellation wines. This was an outstanding wine that did not taste like its price range; I was shocked when I learned it retailed for only about $7/bottle. It’s possible this low price is due to high supply and lower demand. If you can find this and you like it, it’s WELL WORTH buying by the case.

• $6.99/bottle from Costco (approximately, price may vary)
• 14% ABV
• 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot
• Aged in French oak for 12 months
• “deep ruby in color, with a good tannic structure and supple palate. The nose is complex with black fruits, black currant and woody notes.”
• According to Vins de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur wines are more concentrated, complex, and powerful than most AOC Bordeaux

The Bordeaux blend I took a chance on and that paid off was the 2020 Dame de Boüard from the Montagne Saint-Émilion region. Blends from this Bordeaux appellation use Merlot heavily but also Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

• $12.59/bottle from Costco when I purchased it in 2023
• Deep, dark, gorgeous opaque ruby
• Aromas that explode out of the glass: smoke, spice, meats, black currants, red plum, blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, licorice/anise, incense/something sweet. I may have picked up a little bell pepper from the Cabernet Franc in the blend.
• Dry, warm from the 14.5% ABV
• Medium body, not a lot of midpalate structure – decanting/aerating helped
• Light tannins (very muted and in background)
• Moderate acidity
• Enchanting and lush
• The back label calls these wines “delicious, appealing, elegant wines with lovely balance and rich silky tannin.”

As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy excellent Bordeaux. There are many incredible wines to be had at a great deal. The main thing to keep in mind with affordable Bordeaux is that poor vintages happen (years with bad weather). My husband and I had a $10 Bordeaux blend we loved (basically, it was the only one we could remember!) that was amazing certain years but then from another year it was nothing to write home about. Probably worth chatting with your wine steward or doing a little online research before purchasing.

I loved both of these wines and would happily uncork them again. They remind me of my Dad, and how much we both enjoyed having a nice glass of wine with a great meal, usually grilled steak or salmon from Costco.

Dad, you are so missed. Every time I try a great wine I think how much you would have loved it. There were still too many wines we had yet to enjoy together here on earth. But I know that even your absolute lifetime favorite doesn’t compare to heaven’s stores. Until we meet again. ❤