{"id":5275,"date":"2019-02-17T21:39:22","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T03:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=5275"},"modified":"2019-02-17T21:39:25","modified_gmt":"2019-02-18T03:39:25","slug":"lafite-legende-collection-bordeaux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2019\/02\/lafite-legende-collection-bordeaux\/","title":{"rendered":"DBR Lafite L\u00e9gende Collection – Approachable, Affordable Bordeaux"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After seriously getting into wine, I found I began collecting wines. I dabbled in some futures<\/a> and bought some new releases to lay down in my cellar. I have a handful of St. \u00c9milion Premier Grand Cru<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> wines that I\u2019ve dubbed my retirement wines<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> as well as a few 1st and 2nd growth wines that I bought with some age on them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

I started buying more Bordeaux wines with age on them as it dawned on me that I\u2019m not getting any younger and that I may not be around when some of the newer wines hit their prime drinking windows. I\u2019ve imagined Thing 1 & Thing 2 doing everything from just handing out bottles to random people to making \u201cpunch\u201d out of my precious classified wines. That, added to the fact that aged wines can hurt your wallet, I\u2019ve somewhat shifted my buying strategy. I still occasionally buy wines with some age on them, but it\u2019s more and more rare that I buy wines that need to lay down for 15+ years. These days, when I buy wine, it\u2019s more of with an eye to drinking in the next five years or so \u2013 certainly less than a decade. I need to drink them now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also aware that most people that enjoy wine are not collectors. They just want to buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it with the night\u2019s dinner. And this consumer should be able to drink and appreciate Bordeaux as well. But finding affordable, approachable Bordeaux wines that can be drunk young can be a challenge. They are out there, but you have to know where to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)<\/a>. Of course, it is known for its elegant, world-renowned first growth Pauillac wine Ch\u00e2teau Lafite. And despite its elegance, these wines take decades to mature. Yes, decade with an \u201cs.\u201d It\u2019s also expensive AF.<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> But if you\u2019re so inclined, I do accept gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing the issues of both expense and approachability, Domaines Barons de Rothschild introduced its L\u00e9gende Collection of wines almost two decades ago. Only recently have the wines from the L\u00e9gende Collection been available in the USA. These wines were created as accessible wines for everyday drinking. It\u2019s interesting that an estate that dates back centuries<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and owns other distinguished ch\u00e2teaux such as Duhart-Milon, Rieussec, and L\u2019\u00c9vangile still sees the importance of embracing current trends when people want to drink their wines like now \u2013 or maybe even yesterday! And that\u2019s what these wines represent \u2013 \u201cclassic Bordeaux wines with immediate charm.\u201d Well charmed I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The L\u00e9gende Collection consists of wines from five major Bordeaux appellations \u2013 Bordeaux, Bordeaux Blanc, M\u00e9doc, Saint- \u00c9milion, and Pauillac \u2013 and range in price from $18-50. I was fortunate to recently try two of the wines from the L\u00e9gende collection.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
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2016 L\u00e9gende Bordeaux Rouge ($18)
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L\u00e9gende Bordeaux Rouge<\/i><\/b><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The fruit from the Bordeaux Rouge (as well as the Bordeaux Blanc<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span>) wine is sourced from the Entre-Deux-Mers region. Remember when I told ya\u2019ll<\/a> that tasty, affordable Bordeaux can be found in this region?! Crafted of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this one got better after it got some air \u2013 it still is Bordeaux after all. After being in the decanter for an hour, the red fruits really began to emerge. By the second day, the tannins were smooth as silk which made for an easy-going, pleasurable sip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016 L\u00e9gende M\u00e9doc ($25)
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