2005 Bordeaux: Spectacular values from a great vintage
The 2005 vintage in France was so spectacular that even wines from less well-known vineyards are impressive. Here are three suggestions for less than $20.00.
You simply can’t go wrong with a 2005 red Bordeaux, said Dave McIntyre in The Washington Post. Good values abound from the French region, “the most famous land of wine,” where Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon reign supreme. Some Bordeaux wines will always be pricy—those from Margaux, Pauillac, and Pomerol, for example. But the 2005 vintage was so spectacular that even wines from less well-known vineyards show “impressive depth and concentration.” In testing several 2005 Bordeaux that retail for less than $20, these three wines offered especially good value.
Château de Francs 2005 ($18) A stylish wine with “velvety texture and good tannin structure.” Best of tasting.
Château Chabiran 2005 ($14) A classic Cabernet from the Médoc region with a long finish.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Château Prignac 2005 ($11) Another Médoc Cabernet with good balance and impressive finish.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
July 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include the price of produce without migrants, Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein reunited, and what happens when you call DHS
-
What happened to Air India Flight 171?
Today's Big Question Preliminary report reveals 'fundamental reason' why jet crashed, but questions remain about whether it was 'deliberate, accidental or if a technical fault was responsible'
-
Why the world's busiest shipping routes are under threat
The Explainer Political tensions, mega ships and global warming offer new challenges – and opportunities