Wineguider wine reviews

Today we compare a 2010 bordeaux (from France, of course) against a 2013 cabernet from Paso Robles, California.  Both cost $23.

The Chateau Treytins is a 2010 bordeaux that we found at Total Wine. It is 60% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% cabernet franc.  It is 14.5% alcohol.  Its texture is sublime: rich, with a luxurious body on the full side of medium.  Its aroma is hard to pin down, but it’s a nice blend of red fruit and not too much alcohol.  The taste is subtle, a reserved combination of raspberries, rhubarb and cinnamon.  With food, we found it to be simply excellent.  Alone, it was elegant and satisfying if not a huge party-down crowd pleaser.

The Daou cabernet is a 2013 offering that can be purchased at Costco.  Its alcohol percentage is 13.9%.  Its texture is viscous – definitely full bodied.  Its aroma is strong artificially sweetened fruit, with no trace of “hot” alcohol.  The flavor is again decidedly sweet, with heavy doses of vanilla, cranberry, black currants and some kind of syrup I can’t identify.

The winner is easy to call tonight.  Both on its own and with food, the Chateau Treytins is a delightful French addition to any evening.  Because it is from the excellent 2010 vintage, this bordeaux delivers the goods while also punching above its price class.  Recommended.