Thomas Barton Reserve Saint-Emilion

Bordeaux. Saint-Emilion. Left bank, right bank and a whole heap of wine wank. If Bordeaux lingo sends you in a spin, here’s a quick 101 run down on the bits you (might) like to know…

* Bordeaux is wine from Bordeaux in France (duh)
* Most (around 90%) Bordeaux wine is a blend made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (other varieties include Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec).
* Sub regions are split into Left Bank (Médoc and Grave) and Right Bank (Libournais)
* Left bank is typically more Cabernet Sauvignon, Right bank typically more Merlot dominant
* Saint-Emilion is a sub region in the south-east of the right bank

Bordeaux is one of the most famous (and replicated) styles of wine around the world. It’s about as French as French wine comes. So you might be a little surprised to hear that Thomas Barton Reserve is actually named after a famous Irishman, not Frenchman! Barton is the oldest wine merchant name from the Bordeaux region, dating back to 1725. To be sure, to be sure.

This Reserve Saint-Emlion blend is 80% silky, plush Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc giving the wine some dark berry, spicy characters and a bit of backbone and structure. Real experts might pick up hints of four leafed clover too.

This is an awesome style of red to go with a wide range of red meats, duck and lamb especially, but for the Master Chef wine and food inside tip try it with Steak frites (steak and duck fat fries).