Nicolas Thienpont Chateau La Prade Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux 2010: Deep ruby-crimson color; medium-plus body; opulently fleshy, ripe, bright fruits, plum, red cherry, strawberry, black currant tang. As expected from right-bank Bordeaux, merlot dominates—90% to 10% cab franc; combined the two grapes make an impressively robust red (on left side of the Gironde, merlot and cab franc lend some softness and finesse to cabernet sauvignon). Cotes de Francs is Bordeaux’s smallest AOC appellation and one of the highest in elevation; several critics opine this effort “this is about as good as Cotes de Francs can be.” This is a big wine, but not a raging red monster; tannins are there but do not deliver oppressive puckering; as it relaxes in your glass, some of playful smiles of the ingénue facet of merlot peek from behind the curtain, rewarding you for sticking around after the opening salvos of big, serious wine bluster. Nice value, nice wine. $15-22
