INSIDER'S PICK: 2021 Ch. LES RICAUDELLES BORDEAUX (MALBEC)-$21.99

Bordeaux is a huge region that produces a massive volume of wine each vintage, one of the highest producing AOCs in France. To stand out in this crowd simply making good wine may not always be enough. When the owners of this Chateau near the border of Castillon bought the property more than a decade ago, they looked to make large investments into improving the quality and stature of their wine. First off they went to a high-density planting pattern in the vineyards, which forces each vine to compete more with its neighbor for resources and (in theory) improves grape quality. They also converted most of their new vineyards to Malbec, usually a background blending grape in Bordeaux, but now THE headliner in this wine. I'm sure there are more than a few wineries in nearby Cahors saying 'Hey! Malbec is OUR thing!' But you can't argue with the results, as this is a much different think than the rustic traditional 'Black Wines' Cahors is famous for producing. Almost sweet blackberry and camphor aromas at first with some toasty oak tones, getting darker and more peppery as it opens up. The palate is distinctly Bordeaux in its polish and fine tannic mouthfeel, full but not ripe or sweet on the fruit like an Argentine version, finishing with lots of black fruit and berry skin and a hint of anise. A formidable Bordeaux built for robust meals, perhaps just in time for your Easter lamb

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