Master of Wine Discusses SAINT EMILION, Hub of the Right Bank

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

If you enjoyed this video, you may also like this one on Bordeaux. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGqQkH6vd81-e8k

[@KyleStrehlow]

Another interesting and educational video! I’m really glad I came across your channel! A lot of wine channels on YT focus on expensive wines that the average consumer can’t afford to drink on a weekly basis. Your channel makes great recommendations at an affordable price point! I’ll be on the lookout for a St. Emilion this weekend! Keep the videos coming! Cheers!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks Kyle. I tend to focus the videos on wines that I drink. I’m constantly looking for great values. Cheers. 🍷

[@jamescipriano204]

Another great video Bob! Once again I learned something new and interesting. I appreciate all of your effort with the recommendations, it encourages me to try new and/or different wines. Thanks for what you do. Salute

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi James, as always, I appreciate the good word. Glad to hear you may try something new! Cheers. 🍷

[@Alexander_Tronstad]

Awesome! I have very little experience with the east-side, a couple of underwhelming entry level wines, the second wine of Vieux... Gravette, and one pretty great wine in Clinet But! I'll be visiting the east-side in the summer. Valandraud, Figeac, Canon, Dalem among others. It will be my first time seeing wineries at all, so I am stoked I got on! 😊 I already love Bordeaux, to me, the wines are so exciting, so I really look forward to this!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you. Wow, you’re starting with the big time! Good for you! If you get to the town of St Emilion, you’ll be very impressed. I’m overdue to go back there. Cheers. 🍷

[@rjdscott]

Bob, you are an educator unlike any other. Excellent delivery and super informative!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Kind words! Much appreciated.

[@wren460]

Excellent video Bob. I am a fan of St. Emilion and Pomerol much more than any left bank regions. The finese and sexiness of a great Pomerol is always something that I appreciate. Laroque, Lilian Landouys, Tour St Cristophe are great St Emilions that do not break your bank. But my favourite is Pavie and Canon. I am waiting to see many of my Pomerols mature as I have a few La Conseillante and Trotanoy (2015, 2016,2019). Thanks!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you. You’re drinking well! I also prefer the Right Bank, so assessable at most any age. Funny thing, I know a good number of people that have mentioned Laroque by name. I like it too, listed it in the description. Cheers!

[@wren460]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine are you a member of Cellartracker ? It would be very useful to follow your comments and ratings of the wine you drink

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@wren460 I probably should be, but currently no.

[@breethewithme]

Having a great night here with a Pousse d’or Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets and watching all your videos. I do hope you continue making great content!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I appreciate the good word. And nice to read you’re drinking well. My channel has only been around since Dec ‘22, much more to come. I hope you’ve subscribed!

[@BB-kw5bz]

Great video! I just found your channel today and already watched a few videos right away. I usually skip American wine ‘experts’ on YT as most are just bullshitting their way through the videos. Very different with you. You are not only super knowledgeable about what you are talking about you really know how to bring it across for everybody to understand. +1 subscriber here :)

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you for the comment and for subscribing! My channel is new, started in December’22. I post new videos each week, including daily wine questions on the community tab. My intent is to keep it real, no BS! Where are you from? Cheers. 🍷

[@joewilliam2259]

This is extremely educational, as always, I will surely look for these wines in stores. Thanks a lot!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Joe, I appreciate the good word. Production levels are not huge, but a specialty retailer should be able to help track some down.

[@MrJcalvino]

Amazing video as always! Have a nice day Bob.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Just doing my thing! 😂 Thanks for the good word, much appreciated.

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

More ideas for when I can manage a good overview on the region! Thanks! I got some unoaked viognier from the Rhône and some more robust CFranc from the Loire yesterday next to a Piemonte showroom. We'll see how they hold up!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Very good, you’re drinking well! Cheers!

[@carlcadregari7768]

Great stuff. I do enjoy the early approachability of right bank wines. Really great explanation of the cru system too. Cheers.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks Carl. Most of the time, I’d take the right bank wines, drink well at most any age. 🍷

[@lauracanna2201]

Thank you for this video, very informative, as always 😊 and thanks for the affordable recommendations in the description box ❤

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Laura, it’s good to hear you enjoyed it! 🍷

[@Ferdiad1]

Great video as always! Had the pleasure of visiting Saint Emilion last year and fell in love with the wines, just wish they were more affordable in Ireland!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you. The popularity of St Emilion seems to constantly be growing. I’m surprised they’re not more affordable in Ireland.

[@Ferdiad1]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Well I guess they are somewhat affordable, especially compared to Pomerol and major left bank wines, but I guess I just wish I could afford Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe more often 😂

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@Ferdiad1 There are always good wine values to search out! That said, too end St Emilion is quite spectacular.

[@bobmarley2140]

So much to learn! tonight I am drinking a Foillard Morgon cote du py 2020

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’m a big fan of Cru Beaujolais, Morgon is at the top of the list! Cheers! 🍷

[@lauracanna2201]

Hi Bob, great video (as always ❤)! You mentioned a very interesting topic, the classification of the crus system. I was reading recently an article on Decanter about the issues of the appellations in France and how certain producers just opt for the simple 'Vin De France" category, so that they don't have to go through what it seems an unfair and not very good system (the article was even mentioning that according to one winemaker some of the people doing the tasting evaluation have only a few hours training). Maybe you are right, there could be material for a very interesting mini Netflix series 👀

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you Laura. Vin de France is a quickly growing segment. For exports, it’s growing quicker versus anting else. The classifications can be cumbersome, especially poor with St Emilion.

[@mickeylee2624]

Very informative! The politics behind the St. Emilion wine classification system is certainly interesting. Before I was more knowledgeable about it, I enjoyed my first bottle of Bordeaux (2016 Chateau Grand Corbin-Manuel) last year not knowing that there was a difference between a "Grand Cru" and "Grand Cru Classe." Nonetheless, it was enjoyable enough to warrant a purchase of the 2018 (not yet opened). After learning of the classification system and studying more about wines, I bought a 2015 Chateau Fombrage, which I am really excited about opening within the next few years.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Mickey, I’m glad you found it helpful. The St Emilion classification is a mess. Marketing/social media presence is part of the criteria ranking. That’s crazy. That said, I love the wines, rarely disappointed. Cheers. 🍷

[@mickeylee2624]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine, do you have any personal favorites in the Grand Cru Classe under $60?

[@ronjohnson6406]

I think I am going to pick up a couple bottles of the Chateau Haut Cadet. Price is good, and sounds like a good mid level wine, and it is in stock at the Total Wine just to the north in Vancouver WA. Thanks Bob for these wines.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Ron, it’s worthwhile, I’m drinking some as I respond to you. 🍷

[@ronjohnson6406]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Bob, I went on the hunt today for the 2018 Chateau Haut Cadet. There is a “Total Wine & More” in Vancouver, WA. I hadn’t been to a Total wine & More before, so I was impressed on the number of mid-level wines they stock. At least 1/3 of the store was wine, and they have a very impressive Bordeaux section separating left and right bank. All in the mid-tier range. I located the Haut Cadet but was milling around looking when I was approached by the head of wines there. He asked If I needed any help, and I told him, that no, I was here for a specific wine recommended to me by a master of wine. I told him, that you (Sorry, for name dropping) had stated that this wine outperforms its price point. To which he immediately scanned the bottle and commented on the fact that it was highly rated but at $26. I saw they offered a discount on mixed 6 bottles, so I went and picked up a couple Grgich Zinfandels (They were sold out of the Ridge Lytton Springs, and we have visited Grgich in the past) and two random Chiantis to round out the six. What I didn’t remember being an Oregonian, Is sales tax. Which negated my six-bottle discount. So, I still paid $26 rather than $24.50. Now the wine itself with dinner. Yes, totally worth the price. Smooth, balanced front and rear on the palate, not stellar, but very enjoyable. It paired well with dinner. I can say this was a very good representation of Bordeaux and of the right bank Saint-Émilion, we usually are drinking from the left bank. I told my wife, that this a was Merlot heavy wine, and she starts in with the “Sideways” quotes (jokingly), even though she has not seen the movie. I have. By the end of dinner, she is milking the last drops from the bottle into her glass. Once again, thank you for your videos. These have real results.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@ronjohnson6406 Hi Ron, thanks for the message. I'm glad you found the Haut Cadet. I agree wholeheartedly, the wine is a good example of a St Emilion in more of a mid-tier level. Interesting comment on the price, I'm looking at my receipt, I paid slightly more. Maybe it's a CA thing. Funny thing on the Sideways quotes, I hadn't heard much about it in recent years, but in the last week, I've heard it three times! I'm glad to hear it was enjoyed and I appreciate the good word.

[@ianlutz9600]

Very good video. I appreciate the effort you put in to listing out quality entry level wines as it can be difficult to find unbiased, credible sources with as much detail. Curious what you paired the ‘98 la dominique with.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks Ian. There’s plenty of reasonably priced wines. It just takes effort to search them out. As the ‘98, the warm weather has finally come, got the grilled going with some marinated flank steak. I prefer a simple food prep with older wines.

[@ianlutz9600]

Sounds great, enjoy the weather!

[@baggrabb]

Another great video, thanks. I have a 2018 Sansonnet, its been a "hold" for me. Might revise that after seeing this. What do you think?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hey Bruce, thanks. Your 2018 has plenty of mileage left in it. Another five years or so with no issue.

[@ayya8817]

Right-bank often overshadowed by the left, but a lot of good value there. have had alot of Laroque from different vintages, and they always shows great in the glass. and yeah, the appelation system in St. Emilion is a mess :D ps. Love myself some wine geekdom! should consider making a paying membership page, for more "geeky" content. would be the first to sign up!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’m a big Laroque fan! I’m thinking about a more geekdom offer as well. I want to get a bit more traction during these early before adding on. 🍷

[@gogreenmsu03]

Huge fan of at least the 2018 and 2019 Laroque, even young. Glad to have discovered that producer.

[@andrewkarl5174]

I’ve had the Sansonet that you recommended, and recently bought futures of the 2021 vintage, any thoughts on that vintage? Thanks

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

2021 is a challenging year in terms of volumes. A good deal of weather issues. For the Right Bank, I expect the alcohol levels to be lower than typical. The wines should have good acidity. Perhaps not the typical concentration, but good for mid term cellaring. For Sansonet specifically, I can’t say.

[@Pseudopimelodidae]

I think the "Grand cru" level is overused in the right bank where I've had quite a few "grand cru" wines that weren't all that impressive. I'm looking forward to trying some "Grand cru classe" wines from the right bank to see if there is a substantial level increase. Ofc the producer matters more than the classification but I'm sure some consumers get confused by the right bank classification system.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I agree 100%, the producer is the most important consideration.

[@freddieslaughter1107]

Have you tried Chateau Haut-Pezat Saint Emilion Grand Cru ?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’ve not tried it. You’re a fan?

[@nikolaj-si1so]

I really like st Emilon. There are Many great wines to be had. More affordable than left bank clasified growths. As several others i Will mention Laroque.I bought it en Primuer in 2019. I only paid 26$ PR bottle. Oustanding wine at a very reasonble price. Another great value is saintayme. Made by the higly talented winemaker Denis Durantou who sadly died in 2020. Great wine and an amazing value. I bought this to in 2019. Only 17$. PR bottle.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I agree, the value versus the Left Bank is very good. I’ve not tasted Saintayme, but I believe it’s all or nearly all made from Merlot. I need to research it. Cheers. 🍷