POV: CHÂTEAU L'ARGENTEYRE 2010 #441246 $22.95

I thought I'd try Tasting from 2 POV's (Points of View 1, 2):  Perusing 20 or so Tweets a day introduces several wines most of which aren't available in the LCBO. The wines are usually recommendations but often are highlighted as 'tried and found interesting'. The tweet may focus on style, origin, a winemaker or dining experience and reference a followup article. This is the source of POV selections.

The Red below was released by Vintages this month (February 20th). It was rated highly (90) by Winespectator critic James Molesworth and is in the price range ($18 to $25) that has a higher potential to include 88 to 90+ rated wines. This wine is going into its sixth year with potentially four more years.

Try it! See where it falls in your spectrum of value wines.

POV 1 - Outside the Bottle: 

My guess is it'll be a velvety sipper with a touch of softness, have a bright black fruit intensity and a firm, not rigid, backbone. It will pair well with roasted and grilled meats and have a cellar potential of another four years making it a short term value if true.   

POV 2 - Inside the bottle:

CHÂTEAU L'ARGENTEYRE 2010. Médoc, France, 14.0%  XD  xg/L, #441246  $22.95  (Tasted February 25, 2016)

A blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot. Reference: Wine Searcher

My Tasting notes: A dense ruby laying a moderate film that sticks then drops viscous tears from a swollen rim. A woody coating and mild cherry fruit combines with a noticeable black liquorice finish: dry, tart and tangy - a tad smoother when aerated (not velvet). Slow sipping puckers the mouth with no suspicion of sweetness but long and chalky.

Quaffing increases a stronger fruit with a pleasing burst. Pair with grilled or roasted meats - Osso Buco, Keg rubbed tenderloin or beef ribs. Short term cellaring (2 years) possible.



Rating: B50 C5 N12 F&F17 P2 T5 91  
Value  2





96-100 Extraordinary
90 - 95 Outstanding
86 - 89 Interesting to Excellent
80 - 85 Drinkable to Enjoyable
70 - 79 Uninteresting to Simple
60 - 69 Unpleasant
50 - 59 Unacceptable