Great Affordable Bordeaux: CHATEAU LE TEMPLE Medoc

By Johannes Marlena

Just because it’s Bordeaux doesn’t mean it has to be serious.

In this age of Instagrammable moments, it’s all about hashtag-LivingMyBestLife. We’re into this habit of showing off what a good time we’re having. So, while it’s called CHATEAU LE TEMPLE and only possesses a highly general AOC-designation of Medoc, versus, say, Pauillac or St.-Estephe—it’s a really good time and, whatsmore, for a Groupon-like purchase price of under 20 dollars.

a very proper Bordeaux blend, its most distinguishing feature is just what a thoroughly enjoyable wine it is 

While I could tell you it’s 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot—making it squarely a very proper Bordeaux blend, its most distinguishing feature is just what a thoroughly enjoyable wine it is. A Chateau Cos d’Estournel is a similar blend, but you’ll be hard pressed to locate the word “enjoyable” among the superlatives used to describe the wine in any professional review. “Magnificent” or “voluptuous” most likely, but “enjoyable” could hardly be considered fitting for something of such high stature and hyper-seriousness. 

So, screw the stature part and just enjoy what everyday people enjoy. The 2015 Le Temple bottling has terrific purity of flavor—notes of bright plum, currants, cola and a touch of graphite along with that signature earthiness of Bordeaux. It has structure and considerable character, with a finish long enough to be sophisticated. Add in freshness and authenticity, and you’ve got a #winner. Please like.  –J.M.

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October 10, 2019