Le Vieux Château Guibeau 2022

Tucked away in the sought-after Saint-Émilion satellite village of Puisseguin, in Bordeaux, the Bourlon family’s estates are hailed as “top châteaux,” and they’ve been sharing their wines with us for decades. Their Merlot-dominant Le Vieux Château Guibeau is one of our favorites, with red-fruit flavors kept in check by velvety tannins.

Sourced from the family’s sloping vineyards, at one of the highest points in Bordeaux, it was vinified at a low and slow pace, at a nice even temperature, and matured in French oak for more than a year. The extra time and attention pays off.

“Making wine for me is like taking care of my kids,” says Brigette Bourlon, the winemaker and latest family member to helm the generations-old estate. “I need love, I need patience and I need a lot of time.”

In the glass, you can expect charming plum and red berry flavors rounded out by toasty nutmeg and spice tones. To enjoy the wine near term, be sure to decant the bottle for about an hour before serving to tame its tannins and, as Brigette says, “to ‘awaken’ the wine after its slumber in bottle.

Limited cases available. Order soon to avoid missing out.