Bordeaux is a minefield, dear Operatives, and we are here to guide you not only to safety but right into a secret garden of delight where hedonism awaits, without the risk of having to pay dearly for and dump the disappointments lurking out there. Trust us, it takes many samples to find a Bordeaux that completely, utterly floored us for the money like this one! Not only that, we were able to finally negotiate a 50% OFF deal that put it under $20, and later discovering the reasons why it’s so darn delicious, with each sip it all started to make more sense…

A crimson core is beginning to turn into an autumn leaves garnet around the edges. Perfectly melded classic sweet black fruits with pencil lead and exotic, smoky spices define the captivating nose. Creamy, velvety texture, gobs of rich raspberry fruit and exceptional concentration are what you will find on the palate. This beauty is suave, smooth and surprisingly persistent on the elegant finish that goes on and on. It’s built to accompany rich steak dishes, roast game, poultry or cheese and charcuterie.

The Thienpont brothers own and oversee some of the most sought-after names in all of Bordeaux, including Château Le Pin and Vieux Château Certain in Pomerol as well as Châteaux Pavie Macquin, Larcis Ducasse, Beauséjour Duffau and L’If in Saint-Émilion. These legendary names have long-standing track records of perfect scores, yet the Theinponts are humble enough to venture into incredible values frown just outside these prestigious appellations of excellence. Just across the township of Pomerol, from where the THOUSAND+ bottles of Le Pin and Petrus come, a fine Lalande-de-Pomerol in the right hands can offer the glamor and charm of Pomerol at a mere fraction of its prestigious neighbor’s prices.

The legendary globetrotting consultant winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt is the family’s right hand in this project too and the 2012 vintage was one of the best of the decade for Pomerol according to Robert Parker with; “an up-front and forward appeal, drinkable early on, yet the best of them will age for several decades.”

Here’s what the wine press has to say on F. Thienpont.

Wine Spectator, James Molesworth - “ I sat down with François Thienpont here at my office the other day. Thienpont comes from one of those big Bordeaux families with a long history in the business—the Thienponts started a négociant business in their native Belgium back in 1842 and today François, along with his brother and cousins, are the third generation to run estates in Bordeaux. The portfolio is impressive. But despite the high-profile properties and blue blood lineage, François Thienpont is involved with the ‘other’ side of Bordeaux and he may just be on to something there…”