Tasting - Chateau Jalousie Beaulieu Bordeaux

Name: Chateau Jalousie Beaulieu Bordeaux Superieur

Variety: 83% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2022
Price: $16.99

Critic Review: A bright and vivid Bordeaux with currants, fresh earth and flowers on both the nose and palate. Medium body. Firm, fine tannins and a clean finish. Linear and refined. Drink or hold. JS - 91

Wine Folly: pg. 83 Bordeaux Blend (Red) - A blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cab Sauv. Definitely high tannins noticeable right off the bat. Medium acidity and mid to high bitterness. On the nose it smelled quite sweet, almost raspberry-esque, but was much more bitter on the palate, more of a bitter blackberry. Wine Folly says to expect black currant, black cherry, graphite, chocolate (noticeable as well), and dried herbs. We did not decant the suggested 60+ minutes.

My review: I liked this wine, but it seemed a little simpler compared to other Bordeaux's I have tasted. I enjoyed the chocolatey start and more bitter, tannin-full blackberry flavor that followed. I was expecting the flavor of the fruity notes to come across a little stronger, but they were still noticeable.

I tasted this with simply seasoned steak (medium rare) and they complimented each other very well. The wine softened with the meat and allowed the fruitiness to flourish. Suggest this or a similar food pairing.