The Côtes de Bordeaux is a new appellation (since 2009) that takes in the former Premières Côtes de Blaye, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Castillon and Bordeaux Côtes de Franc.  A few less appellations to learn then.  This particular wine is fairly keenly priced at $18.99 a bottle and is merlot dominant.

This wine is not amazing, but it’s not terrible either.  It sits in that well populated wine region of “it’s nice enough”.  Ruby in colour, it has clean medium intensity aromatics of tomato bush, mint, redcurrants and red plums.  The palate is dry with medium acid, medium tannins (fine grained), medium-high alcohol and flavours of plums, chalk, redcurrants and some oak character.  It’s ready to drink now, and probably won’t improve much from here.  Acceptable

Abv: 13.5%
Price: $18.99
Vendors: Check http://www.wine-searcher.com/
Website: http://www.chateau-lamothe.com
Tasted: 2013
Subscribe: Subscribe to benefit from regular, considered and independent wine reviews from Grape Observer. Please enter your email address in the subscription icon on the right of screen to receive updates by email.