INSIDER'S PICK: 2010 Ch. ROLAND LA GARDE BLAYE-COTES DE BORDEAUX $18.99

With the weather getting back to the more classic temperatures of Winter, it seems like a good time to break out a 'classic' red wine to enjoy. The region of Blaye sits on the Right Bank side of Bordeaux where Merlot dominates the majority of wines, but in a more substantial and flavorful way than most American Merlots have devolved into. Blaye has also greatly improved in quality overall in recent years, filling the price point vacuum that formed as the more famous wines from Pomerol and St Emilion have skyrocketed. While it is almost impossible to find a solid wine from those regions under $20 in even the best of circumstances, Blaye is thriving in this price range, and in quality vintages like 2010 there are plenty of great possibilities to be found.
Deep, dark ruby color in the glass with only the slightest of color change around the edge of the glass to show any signs of age, the nose is full of dark dusty red fruits and that antique earthiness you find in comfortable old leather chairs. A bit of swirling and time brings out more of the red fruits, but never moves to the sweeter side of the spectrum. On the palate the texture is rich and polished, packed with dark currant and more earthy fruit, still full of tannins that create a long dry finish, but not rough enough to get in the way of the deep flavor while the wine is still in your mouth. A great wine to serve with hearty cold weather meals like pot roast, while those that like a bit more age on their Bordeaux will find a lot of value in hiding some bottles for another 3-5 years to polish the tannins down even further.