We did some research on pricing based on Suckling’s 95pt score. Here’s what you can pay for other 95pt St. Emilion Grand Crus from the same vintage, according to Suckling: Chapelle d’Ausone ($203), Carillon by Angelus ($138), Aromes de Pavie ($112) and Ch. La Gaffeliere ($100). Or, you can pay under $45 for this wine. Same vintage, same score. Isn’t it great to have a friend in the wine biz like BHW?

When Napa Cab drinkers tell me they want to try more Bordeaux wines to better understand them, I often suggest Malescot first. The wine is ripe, forward, and Cabernet dominant. With 94-98 points scores, this wine also looks like one of the best deals going. I love Margaux and this is one of my favorites year after year. 

Montrose is arguably the best Classified 2nd Growth and their first wine sells for $250+, which makes it a relative bargain compared to the first growths. This is their second wine made by the same winemaking team in the same winery with younger vines.At a ¼ of the price of the first wine, this is a great way to get to know one of the best wineries not only in St. Estephe, but in all of Bordeaux and the world.

This winery is a 3rd Growth Classified winery located in one of the most charming castles with a real moat. Its location is down the street from Ch. Palmer ($350+) and Ch. Margaux ($700). Value for money, this wine is a slam dunk and it ages incredibly well and it’s a joy to drink now.

This is one of the hottest properties in all of Bordeaux. Major upgrades included a Philippe Starck design for the wine cellar that looks like the hull of a ship coming out of the earth. Underground, there are painted cement tanks and a flashy, modern cellar. This winery is next door to Haut Brion ($700), so the price looks relatively inexpensive.There is no doubt this high flying winery will continue to make waves. The problem: production is tiny so grab it before it’s gone.

If you’ve ever shopped at Camping World, then you helped the Adams family acquire this Chateau.  American owned with brilliant recent upgrades, this winery sits just NW of the town of St. Emilion. Due north is Ch. Canon ($200), due east is Ch. Pavie ($400), due west is Ch. Quintus $150)  Le Dome ($150) is across the street. If you’ve ever purchased real estate, you know it’s got a lot to do with LOCATION. Right now, these wines are a steal, but don’t expect that to last. With all of the major critics scoring this wine 94-95, the secret is out.

This is a 94pt rated wine from three major critics from a vintage that was overlooked. It’s a classic wine from a very classy winery that always delivers delicious wines.If you want a true St. Julien experience and a wine that’s going to impress now, without having to age it further, buy this.

Daily drinking St. Estephe is becoming more and more difficult and we like Ch. Clauzet for it’s charm and value. It’s mostly Cab with 40% Merlot and touches of Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. The consultant isEric Boissenot, who also consults at all of the First Growths (Lafite, Latour, Mouton, etc). This wine is real value.

I really don’t have anything to add that the critics haven’t already gushed about. Everyone considers this a 96-98 point wine with Suckling coming in at 99 points. This wine is at the top of the list as wine of the 2018 vintage. I hesitate to even include this wine in this list, because I really want to keep it for myself.

You can pay $225 for the first wine from this esteemed estate or grab this for only about one-fourth the price. Located near Ch. Lafite Rothschild, Cos (pronounced “co”) is one of the super second growths that many people say outperforms some of the first growths in certain vintages. The original owner traveled to India and brought back Pagoda architecture and elephants statues. Hence, the name.

Among the 300 châteaux in Haut Medoc, only 14 hold the prestigious "Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel" distinction. This is one of them. The winery has moved from strength to strength. It’s soils are similar to Cos d’Estournel with small, gravely pebbles. This wine garnered a 97pt Decanter rating and it’s been selling like hot cakes as a result. It’s certainly the best 2020 Haut Medoc we have in stock.

2010 is a storied vintage in Bordeaux and to have a wine that’s already 14 years young from one of the best producers in Sauternes for under $43, it’s kind of absurd. Some people tell me they don’t drink much sweet wine. I say, no problem. Buy this, try a sip and put it back in the refrigerator with the cork on it. The wine will last weeks or even months. I also know that once you try a sip, you will be drinking this very quickly. It’s divine nectar.