The 2009 Chateau Auguste Merlot is something of a rarity for Bordeaux Red wines, it is a 100% single varietal Merlot and most Bordeaux wines are blends. Chateau Auguste is located south of St.-Emilion (Right Bank), which is primarily a Merlot and a little Cabernet Franc growing area. The Chateau Auguste vineyards are certified organic by ECOCERT and this wine is designated a Bordeaux wine which is the most basic designation for the region. It is imported by Trader Joe’s and sells for $7.99. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a crystalline purple with a watery halo. The nose is blackberry and raspberry, a little flowery perfume and bacon grease. Medium bodied, this is a wine with balance, good juicy dark berries are met with firm, but not intrusive tannins and there is a nice licorice and Dr. Pepper thing happening under the fruit. A bright wine with good acidity and a quality long lasting finish. The Chateau Auguste Merlot is a French wine, it is not like the fruit forward Merlots you get from California, balance and length are the prized virtues here.
8 bucks for a certified organic Merlot from the Right Bank in Bordeaux is a heck of a deal. The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux is such a good vintage that even the producers that never make interesting wines, couldn’t help from bottling something decent. Usually cheap Bordeaux is never as good as cheap Spanish or South American wine, but if the vintage is 2009 or 2010 take a chance on a bottle, in a great vintage even the wines on the bottom end can give a lot of bang for the buck.
