2017 Chateau Les Grands Chenes Medoc Bordeaux 750 ml

We've always been a fan of Bernard Magrez’s wines. He’s one of the most important names in Bordeaux—a titan of the region who’s made a habit of transforming châteaux into collectible powerhouses. And while the 100-point Pape Clément is his icon, none of his wines offers better value than Château Les Grands Chênes.

The 93-point 2017 Château Les Grands Chenes is a fantastic testament to Magrez’s leadership and the ‘17 vintage, which produced elegant, open wines like this one—wines that are perfect for drinking now. It’s a classic Magrez bottling, with silky tannins and plenty of power, and we're thrilled to share it today at  a tiny fraction of the $115+ we'd be happy to pay for Bernard’s ‘17 Pape Clément or Magrez-Fombrauge.

It's truly a steal for a wine from Magrez, who “built an empire based on high quality,” in the words of Robert Parker. With friend and 100-point consulting winemaker Michel Rolland at his side for over 20 years, Magrez is known for his attention to detail and spare-no-expense attitude. That extends from the vineyards he buys all the way down to the barrels he uses, which are often custom-made for his estates.

It took Magrez over a decade of searching before he found a château that offered the potential he was after, and it’s easy to see why Les Grands Chênes was worth waiting for. A gem of a terroir in one of Bordeaux’s less-heralded regions, it’s perched upon the hill of Saint-Christoly-Médoc. 

When our friends in Bordeaux describe the prime terroirs of the Médoc, they always tell me that “the vines like to see the water,” and Grands Chênes’ perch on Saint Christoly gives it perfect views of the Atlantic. That means exposure to ocean breezes, which help moderate the growing season, allowing for maximum hang-time and flavor. 

One of the things we most admire about Bernard is that he allocates the full weight of his resources to producing the best possible wine—no matter the price or prestige of the appellation. The grapes for Les Grands Chênes are carefully hand-harvested, and once the Merlot and Cabernet enter the winery, Michel Rolland has carte blanche to work his magic. That includes custom-made cooperage and 16+ months aging before bottling, cash flow be damned.

Deep ruby-red, this blend hits the glass and immediately leaves an impression with its cascade of aromas. Scents of black and red currants, cocoa nibs, baked plums, cigar box, and wildflowers waft out, demanding further inspection with a taste. On the palate, there’s rich fruit but plenty of bright elegance, and the wine is built on enough tannin to pair beautifully with a bacon-enriched daube of beef.

Nestled between two legendary vintages, the low prices and early charm of 2017 mean it’s shaping up to be a gold mine for savvy buyers. Like 2006, 2012, and 2014, we’ll all look back in a few years and wonder why we didn’t buy more ‘17’s—especially bottles like this.