Region: France, Bordeaux

Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon

Background: Château Bauduc is a wine estate just south of the town of Créon in Bordeaux's Entre-deux-Mers region between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, although its wines are predominantly produced under the wider Bordeaux appellation title. The estate – owned and managed by expat Britsh husband-and-wife team Gavin and Angela Quinney – produces a range of wines including a Bordeaux whites, Bordeaux reds, rosés and a sparkling Crémant de Bordeaux.

Tasting notes: Medium bodied and partially aged in oak, it’s easy, fruity and supple enough to drink quite young. A French bistro sort of wine. Although it is a young red, it is ready to drink now, with attractive, easy fruit and soft, supple tannins.

Expert opinion

Previous Vintages: Château Bauduc (Bordeaux Supérieur) 2017

The year of the frost, nevertheless this has come out of it rather well. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a good concentration in the glass, with a dusty and claretty hue. The nose is restrained when compared to other vintages, with savoury notes of dried cranberry and blackberry, in a taut and crunchy just-ripe style, touched with vanilla caramel presumably from the oak. Medium bodied, cool and restrained on the palate, the taut vibe continues here with damson stone and cranberry fruit, and a touch of black pepper. Lightly textured, with dry and lightly grained tannins, and fresh acidity, this is good to drink now. From a 2021 Update. 89/100

Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com. January 2021.

Château Bauduc (Bordeaux Supérieur) 2016

This was a benevolent vintage in the region, providing volume and good quality, and the latter aspect shows here. As always it is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. In the glass it shows a surprisingly modest concentration, with a gentle claretty red hue. The nose hints at some early evolution here, with scents of spiced and degraded red cherry fruit, with a medicinal twist. The palate, meanwhile, shows a cool and supple style, with a little silky edge. I see that medicinal twist coming in again, along with notes of red pepper, red cherry and a touch of coconut. Fresh and lightly composed, and for drinking over the next few years. From a 2021 Update. 90/100

Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com. January 2021.

'These are excellent-quality wines - reds as well as whites - consistent and easy to enjoy. One to follow.' 

Inside Bordeaux, by Jane Anson. Published by BBR, 2020.

“Wonderful plummy fruit and liquorice and leather scent. Soft, feathery tannins and just the right amount of mid weight. Not hugely complex, but presses all the right buttons for this level of Bordeaux. Very pleasurable claret.”

Richard Hemming MW, Jancis Robinson.com

“Today this is a model estate for Bordeaux, the white wines clean cut and vibrant, the reds increasingly good. And yet they remain affordable.”

Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com

“Red, pink and white, they are utterly drinkable, each possessing a classic, mouthwatering Bordeaux texture and easy going fruit.”

Oz Clarke