BORDEAUX GIFT SAMPLER

by Kermit Lynch

Admit it—wouldn’t you prefer to receive this in place of the holiday gifts you’ll receive? Well, go ahead—so far it is not illegal to give yourself a present, and it is a neat half-case of wine: two colors, four vintages, six appellations.

First, a white Graves. When I opened my doors in 1972, white Graves were about the same price as white Burgundies and no one thought that at all weird. What a change! Graville is now one fourth the price of a top Meursault Villages. And this 2011 is marvelous—dry, tender, nothing overblown or out of kilter, and about as versatile at table as a wine can be.

Then onto the reds with two scrumptious, juicy 2009s. Ours are fruity—not oaky, not jammy.

And two 2008s follow—forward wines that you wouldn’t mind finding on a restaurant wine list because of their accessibility. One is from the idyllic landscape in the hills to the east of Saint Émilion, the other from a stony hillside above Pomerol. Judging by the names, one château has a beautiful view, the other beautiful gravel.

And finally, a great Pomerol 2006. It may be the only biodynamic Pomerol vinified by a woman, if that matters to you. I have several vintages of Gombaude in my cellar, because it ages beautifully while I try to do the same.

Normally $187.00

Special Sampler Price $150

(a 20% discount)