LCBO Sale Wine of the Week: April 18

Château Fongaban 2016 Castillon (Bordeaux, France)

Sale $14.95, Regular $16.95
Discount (until April 29): $2.00
LCBO #479832 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Pretty and pure blue and red berries, a touch of sweet spice and Bordeaux-esque minerality (sort of a pencil lead kind of thing). Mid-weight, complex, with a long finish.
Pairs with: Grilled and braised meats. Duck or lamb. A Philly cheese steak would go nicely.
Good for: Pretending you paid twice as much. (It’s that good!)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink: Now.

Why we're drinking this
A good deal in good Bordeaux is hard to find. Here’s one we really, really like. It’s organic, from the Côtes de Castillon AOC of Bordeaux. This is north of the Dordogne River that defines the Bordeaux region and bisects it into what are commonly known as the “left” and “right” banks. Castillon is adjacent to the famous right-bank region of St. Émillion. Merlot is the star player here on the right bank, with some supporting role played by Cabernet Sauvignon. Castillon is seeing a lot of investment and is definitely one to watch for value.

Tasting note
A very nice, pure and easy-to-drink wine. Generous, in a modern style that emphasizes the lovely blue and red fruit from the Merlot. It has that Merlot-activated silky quality too. Pretty, perfumed and with complex fruits and mineral notes, with very restrained oak. The wine is fresh, delicious and drinking beautifully right now. No need to save it for later. Mid-weight, with juicy acidity and a long finish. Surprising complexity for a wine under $20. And it’s organic too. It’s a great wine to take to the patio for the first grilling days of spring, and pair with juicy burgers, steaks, lamb, etc. It would love some duck too.

Find it at your LCBO
Check availability on the LCBO website!

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This week's selection by kwäf Taste Bud Dick Snyder