Château Bourdieu 2016

On his way to boarding school each week, Luc Schweitzer went past Château Bourdieu. So it really was a dream come true when in 1993 he followed in the winegrowing footsteps of his parents and bought the property. Now helped by his two sons, Richard and Ludovic, quality obsessed Luc produces the kinds of wines he loves. He started with 25 hectares and now, bit by bit, has increased the vineyards to 75. Château Bourdieu is their most classic red. “An ode to Merlot and to the Blaye region”, he says. It remains in vat, with no oak, to preserve all the intense, red fruit of the vintage. A rich claret packed with flavour, it's smooth, elegant but still accessible. Drinking well now, especially with duck or beef. Open an hour or so early too.