Three times the size of Burgundy, this confusing region of different soils and climates, styles and châteaux, produces as many as 20,000 wines of various qualities, of which you may only recognize a handful. From the graveled, sandy appellations of the Haut-Médoc and Graves, to the clayed terroir of St-Émilion and Pomerol, a mix of red wines abound, including the deep, dark berried Cabernet Sauvignons, supported by the various blends of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and the occasional spice and tannic density of the Petit Verdot and Malbec grapes, that add character and longevity. Not to be forgotten are the lush, elegant white wines of Bordeaux, made from various blends of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, including the historic Sauternes and the dry, full-bodied whites of Pessac-Léognan and Entre-Deux-Mers, such as Châteaus Cabonnieux 2001 or Laville Haut-Brion 1995, and Château Ste-Marie 2000. The full-bodied rich, red wines of St-Émilion include Châteaux Beauséjour-Bécot, La Gaffelière, Grande Mayne and Troplong-Mondot, and the Clos de L'Oratoire and Canon. The ambitious winemakers of Saint-Julien and the famous Châteaux of Beychevelle, Léoville-Barton and Léoville-Poyfer´, are among the finest in Bordeaux. The supple, full-bodied red wines of Pauillac are among the longest-lived in the world, with bouquets of black currant and layers of fruit, mixed with cedar. Those who love the style of Pauillac, will recognize the Châteaux of Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Pichon-Longueville Baron Pichon, as two of the oldest and most respected producers in the region—as well as Château Duhart-Milon, which offers quality and finesse at a more reasonable price. The full-bodied Chˆteau Cantenac-Brown 1999 from Margaux, has a fragrant bouquet of dark fruit, along with supple tannins and good value. The complexities of the red wines of Graves, make the addition of Château La Tour Haut-Brion 1995, a must-have investment for any cellar, with the supple, earthy, tobacco-scents of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, unique to the terroir of this region. Reasonably priced, quality red wines such as Château Lapelletrie 2000, at $30.00 a bottle, and the 1998 Château Peyau Bordeaux Superieur for $19.00, are both outstanding examples of the great choices that Bordeaux can offer as an agreeable and satisfying introduction to the appellations of this region.

LES VINS BLANCS

PRICE

Château Lynch-Bages 2003

$ 60.00

Château Ste-Marie 2000 (Entre-Deux-Mers)

$ 17.50

LES VINS ROUGES

PRICE

Château Branaire 2000 (St-Julien)

$ 75.00

Château Duhart-Milon 2002 (Pauillac)

$ 45.00

Château Haut-Batailley 2003 (Pauillac)

$ 45.00

Château Mouton Rothschild 1999 (Pauillac)

$225.00

Château Nenin 2003 (Pomerol)

$ 65.00