Bordeaux is wonderful and frustrating all at the same time for me. The best wines of Bordeaux are incredible, but very often out of reach financially. There are also many lower priced Bordeaux bottlings out there, but so many of them are overwhelmingly uninspiring. What I've been finding over the last few years is that the sweet spot for values seems to be in my $16-30 price category and that the majority of the values are coming from the Right Bank. One of these better values is the 2009 Chateau Croix Figeac Saint Emilion Grand Cru.In your glass the wine is reddish purple and brings aromas of cassis, blackberry, and cherry fruit. Underneath the fruit is a layer of very pleasant vanilla and fresh earth. On the palate the fruit leans more towards black as well as red currants and their inherent sour notes. The tannins are just a little bitter but well integrated. Medium acidity provides some balance and gives this just enough structure to keep it from being flabby. With a little bit of decanting, this is drinking pretty well in 2012, and it should keep getting better over the next couple of years. At a price in the low to mid $20's, you're getting a very nice Right Bank Bordeaux that isn't necessarily everyday, but it wont break the bank either.
As far as pairing goes, I always love lamb with Merlot. This would be a perfect pairing to my Roasted Rack of Lamb With Balsamic Demi-Glace http://acoupleofwines.blogspot.com/2009/12/roassted-rack-of-lamb-wbalsamic-demi.html
Cheers!
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