It is the Mestreguilhem family that vints both Château Joinin and Château Pipeau. Château Pipeau St. Émilion Grand Cru as it sits on the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s shelves is $43.95. The Château Joinin a simple 2019 AC Bordeaux is a humble $14.95 but the 2018 I tried certainly must be a top of the rung for a $14.95 Bordeaux. So what about the 2019 Château Joinin?
On the nose there is a strong streak of black cherry, cassis, blackberry and black plum. On the palate the tannins are not intense but laid back. There is a generous flurry of blueberries scurrying about with a tad of milk chocolate. A moderate finish. This would suit a leg of lamb coated with rosemary pesto and slow cooked on the grill with garlic mashed potatoes and summer fresh green beans. Simple is good.
The result I think is a solid Bordeaux that doesn’t belong in the $14.95 club. It may be a younger brother to Château Pipeau but let’s not get into a Romulus and Remus comparison please.
James.suckling.com rates this a 91 and says it is “fresher than past vintages” and advises to drink now. It is indeed a bit more lightheaded than the 2018 but I would give it until 2023 to reach its peak before it declines and that is where it falters with big brother Château Pipeau or it better as I have two magnums of the 2005 Château Pipeau!
The author wishes to disclose that he is a younger brother in fact the baby of the family.
(Château Joinin 2019 Bordeaux, AC Bordeaux, Château Joinin, Jugazan, France, $14.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 527853, 14.5%, 750 mL, RKS Wine Rating 89/100).
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