Château Micalet Bordeaux Haut Médoc 2022

In 1855, Napoleon III asked for a ranking of Bordeaux's best wines. The aristocrats got the top titles (cru classé). Later came cru bourgeois for the wealthy merchants, and finally cru artisan for, well, the artisans. Château Micalet belongs to this category becuse its first owner was a baker. And we love that.

This is the Bordeaux we actually want to drink. From a 10-hectare organic estate south of Saint-Julien, it’s a vibrant blend of 41% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a bright 21% Petit Verdot. It’s aged in barrique with a touch of new oak, but what you taste is pure, fresh fruit and a dusty, classic structure, not wood.

It’s all dark berries, crushed gravel, and a savoury hint of dried herbs. It has the seriousness of the Left Bank without the pretension. This the wine to open with a very nice steak or a mushroom ragù. Sensational value, and a seriously good story.