Château La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2010: Solid, rich, smoky; plum, blackberry, cherry, nice nip of blackcurrant to keep things interesting, leather; medium body, elegantly smooth in the mouth with silky tannin, balancing acidity; 64% cab, 33% merlot, 3% cab franc; thoroughly delicious and superb value for a Margaux Cru Bourgeois (one critic: “best value in 2010 Margaux). In 1992, Marie-Laure Lurton inherited from her father vineyards once owned by the son of French lawyer, writer, and political philosopher Baron de Montesquieu. She rebuilt the operation from the ground up: replanting, replacing, modernizing, taking Château La Tour from a mess to an operation critics eagerly await each vintage to enjoy the continuing improvement. This is classic Bordeaux, classic blend, delicious, at a price many can afford. $27
