RKS 2024 Wine: Moderately Priced Bordeaux’s Surge and Portuguese Imports Disappear

Posted byRobert K Stephen (CSW)Posted inWineTags:, , , , , , ,

Although we try yet another moderately priced Bordeaux I can’t stop contemplating where Portugal has gone. Is there some new strain of COVID or natural disaster (not a political corruption one) that has strangled the outflow of Portuguese exports of wine to Ontario? Has some strange variety of fungus attacked Portuguese vineyards? Has TAP Portugal Airlines being shamed for serving wine in paper coffee cups?

Pending an answer before Portuguese wines are but a distant memory in consumer’s minds why not focus on Bordeaux?

We try a Château Des Places 2020 Graves a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Aroma: Blueberry, cassis, black cherry enveloped by a gentle touch of vanilla. Typical Bordeaux being tight fisted and secretive.

Palate: Moderate tannins. Gentle blueberry perhaps even weak and too diffuse or God help me if I say watery.

Personality: I am impressive on the nose but when the rubber hits the road I am overpriced and somewhat anemic.

Food Match: Midia Pilafi.

Cellarbility: Drink now.

Price: $27 CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 86/100. Roger Voss 91.

(Château des Places Graves 2020, A.C. Graves, Vignobles Reynaud, Gironde, France, 750 mL, 14%).

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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