Bordeaux Superieur, 2018. Lion de Tanesse

The Tanesse Family founded their chateau in the late 18th Century on the banks of the Garonne River in the northern part of Bordeaux. It is a classic location. It combines the cooler temperatures in the North, with the perfect soils rendered from the receding river that deposits precious sea matter in their wake.

The property is now in the hands of the Gonfrier family, founded by Paul Gonfrier in 1962 after fleeing Algeria's revolution with barely the clothes on his back. He and his family did whatever they could to piece together a life doing the only thing they knew, making incredible wine. Those pieces eventually became 2,300 acres of vineyards spread across more than a dozen Bordeaux properties.

Now run by his sons and daughter, each property is sustainable and reaching toward organic certification. While sticking closely to many of the traditions of Bordeaux, they have also taken their own roads to craft standout wines that have a connection to their land, but also speak a bit differently. One of those roads was to age their wine in American oak barrels instead of French. No doubt many of their neighbors consider this heresy, but it makes their wine stand out. It is still Bordeaux, but with its own twist.

The blend here is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The density of flavors is remarkable from dark cherry and blueberry notes to the fresh vanilla and spice it yearns for chateaubriand with Lyonnaise and tarragon.

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