2004 Peyrabon, Haut-Médoc

2004 is one of those over-looked vintages that produced several bottlings of significant flavor and structure. Take the super-affordable Peyrabon from Haut-Medoc for example, a velvety and complex blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Plenty of dark, luscious fruit frames the secondary flavors of cedar, subtle herbs, leather, and terciary notes like mushroom and tomato. Currently drinking at its peak, this will pair impeccably with braised lamb or other slow-cooked meats.

I don't know how we keep managing to find more, but if there's somehow an endless amount of this available, I guess I shouldn't complain. Life is good when you're able to have Bordeaux wines like those from Peyrabon. Life is great when you can find them with ten years of bottle age. Life is unbelievably fantastic and amazing when you can have all that for $20. I hope we never run out.

After almost 10 years in the bottle, this classic Bordeaux is starting to show some color development. Beautiful notes of cedar wood, currants and a touch of vanilla. The acidity is high (always a blessing in my book) and the tannins are still quite apparent. This wine is not about the fruit, rather about the intense peppery spices, and how good a pairing it would be with a nice cut of meat! Very good indeed.

This value priced Haut Médoc comes from a property that literally sits astride the border with Pauillac (seven contiguous hectares actually fall within the Pauillac appellation with the wine sold as La Fleur Peyrabon, Pauillac). This is, quite frankly, astonishingly good. The wine is just beginning to show hints of some bottle age. While still deeply colored, youthful purple is beginning to give way to garnet at the rim. There is a hint of cedar on the nose. On the palate loads of ripe dark fruit - bright, tart blackberry and sweet black plum. Well-integrated oak adds complexity and spice. Smooth-textured, rich and round with fine tannins. Ready to drink. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc.

We fell in love with this wine on our 2012 Bordeaux trip. Sold out twice already and our last batch just came in. A steal!

This old school Bordeaux really wowed me for the price. Its earthy, porcini-scented nose has hints of black fruit that come through on the palate, with layers of chocolate and spice. While already drinking really nicely with a little air, the structure leads me to believe you could age this another three to five years more, and it will be perfect. A steal!

A great buy from Bordeaux,the 2004 Peyrabon is delicious and ready to drink now. There are bright dark fruit flavors followed by a hint of earth and a nice balanced finish. This is a great mature wine that will go well with hearty foods.