Chateau La Tulipe de la Garde, 2009, Bordeaux Superieur - Sainsbury's‏

This Chateau Tulipe de la Garde from Sainsbury's is a Bordeaux Superieur - the least-but-one appellation for the Bordeaux region, meaning that the grapes can come from anywhere in the region but need to be just that bit riper than those destined for basic AC Bordeaux.

A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 14% alcohol, you can indeed feel the pleasing ripeness - on the nose there is classic Bordeaux cassis, pencil shavings and cigar box, but there's also a hint of something more complex and less immediately obvious: some sweet vanilla spice, liquorice and leather.

The palate is velvety, with ripe bramble and forest fruit, ripe-yet-firm tannins and good depth of flavour, cut through assertively by brisk acidity - and underneath it all, a savoury underpinning that adds depth and complexity.

With a good finish and length, this is a very well-made wine indeed, well balanced and a benchmark for what a good red Bordeaux around a tenner should be.

At three years, It is drinking nicely but feels very much in its youth and will keep for a good few more years yet.

It's won a stack of Gold medals at local, national and international competitions and was selected for the Good Food Would Choose Bordeaux campaign; match with steak or roast lamb with rosemary and garlic.

£10:15 from Sainsbury's; provided for review.

Links

Sainsburys - http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/
Good Food Would Choose Bordeaux - http://www.goodfoodwouldchoosebordeaux.com/
Bordeaux Wines UK - twitter, Facebook