Domaine des Sabines L'Esprit Du Beau-Pere Lalande de Pomerol 2016

Jean-Luc Thunevin is one of the more infamous kings of the garagiste wine movement. Based in St. Emilion, this Bordeaux specialist is the man behind some of the most heralded garage wines of the last few decades. This 2016 stunner from the right bank adjacent to Pomerol, is too good to miss! 94 POINTS for the crazy price of just $25.95?!?! Yes!

Domaine des Sabines is named after Jean Luc’s daughter. He was so inspired in the mid-1980s by a taste of the revered Le Pin – a Pomerol wine from a tiny parcel – that he set out to make his own mark in Bordeaux. He hit the ground running with the exceptional first vintage of Château Valandraud in 1991, which is currently available for $661 overseas in France! As they say, that was the end of his beginning – quickly becoming the new face of the garage wine movement and taking this role very seriously. His wife, Murielle, then became the supervisor of all the vineyard work, with Jean-Luc focused on pulling the very best from each grape harvested.

The blend here is mostly merlot, with small amounts of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon blended in. The nose is powerfully evocative – with floral notes of lilacs and violets leading to cocoa-dusted cherries and crushed rocks. The palate is rich and weighty, with immense concentration that speaks of kirsch, black currants, and blackberries, with roasted fennel and pulverized mint. The finish is lengthy and balanced, with plenty of acidity to cut through the serious density of the fruit and spice. This can show beautifully with a bit of air and has plenty in the tank to survive a decade or two in the cellar. Never mind the price tag, this is a worthy wine at any price! But still, to get all this from Bordeaux’s glorious 2016 vintage, all for well under $30...simply uncanny! While it lasts!

PAIRING IDEAS: A trip to Bordeaux just isn’t complete without a visit to L’Entrecôte! One dish only – sirloin steak, grilled and covered with their secret butter sauce, and a neverending mound of fries. The best steak frites in the world, you might say, and the perfect match for this wine!