Bordeaux, Ready to Drink

Properly aged Bordeaux from 2012 to 2017.

Photo: Matt Tornabene in Saint-Émilion

They say Bordeaux has a “cool factor” problem. We disagree. It just has a patience requirement.

In a world of instant gratification, Bordeaux has struggled to find its footing, but those struggles have created great opportunities. A great Cru Classé isn’t designed to be “delicious” on release; it’s built to be legendary a decade (or five) later. Due to today’s market dynamics, Châteaux have sold far less wine En Primeur to keep prices stable and are now releasing deep, back-vintage reserves. Historically, buying cellar-aged stock directly from Bordeaux meant paying a massive premium for the provenance. These days, you can buy pristine, back-vintage stock direct from Bordeaux at highly competitive prices.

Through a trusted Bordeaux négociant partner, we are tapping directly into these reserves, securing ready-to-drink Bordeaux from the 2012 to 2017 vintages that are officially stepping into their prime.

Most importantly, these wines carry an ironclad provenance guarantee. They have rested untouched in Bordeaux since bottling. It’s the perfect scenario: flawlessly stored, mature wine with zero wait time, at market-clearing prices. That is why Bordeaux is cool again. The youthful, grippy tannins have settled, the fruit is opening up, and those savory, complex secondary notes are finally taking the lead. To make the most of this opportunity, we’re offering quantity discounts and special pricing on orders shipped directly to your MWC storage account.

Special Offer Terms

• Any 6 bottles: 5% off listed prices.
• Any 12 bottles: 10% off listed prices.
• Orders shipped directly to your storage account: 10% off listed prices, regardless of quantity.
• Storage orders receive the 10% storage price in place of, not in addition to, quantity discounts. Use code bordeaux_storage.
• Wines may be mixed freely across the offer.
• Availability is limited and subject to prior sale.

The Wines

2012

2012 Clos L'Eglise, Pomerol - 12+ btls @ $135/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $128.25/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $121.50/btl
Vinous 92 Neal Martin (2022)

A small estate on the Pomerol plateau, making wines of real depth and polish. Among Pomerol’s top tier, Clos L’Église remains one of the best quality-to-price ratios on the Right Bank. While Trotanoy, VCC, La Conseillante, and Église-Clinet command $250 to $400+ on release, Clos L’Église typically trades around $100 to $140 En Primeur, despite often earning 96–98 point scores from top critics. The 2012 has reached a lovely, mature stage, with plum, dark chocolate and truffle with elegant velvety tannin.

2012 Chateau La Croix de Gay, Pomerol - 12 btls @ $64.99/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $61.74/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $58.49/btl
Vinous 90 Antonio Galloni (2016)

A small, respected Pomerol estate and a smart way to taste mature Pomerol. The 2012 has reached its beautifully developed stage, with plush red fruit, plum and truffle. Easy to love now.

2015

2015 Chateau Chasse-Spleen, Moulis en Medoc - 12+ btls @ $54.99/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $52.24/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $49.49/btl
Vinous 90 Antonio Galloni (2018)

The most recognized name in Moulis, built on gravel and known for savory wines that age with ease. The 2015 has settled into a very good place, with dark fruit, iron and tobacco. A dependable bottle for the dinner table for tonight.

2015 Chateau Prieure-Lichine 4eme Cru Classe, Margaux - 12+ btls @ $69.99/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $66.49/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $62.99/btl
Vinous 89 Neal Martin (2025)

A Fourth Growth with a storied past, thanks to Alexis Lichine, and a more refined, precise style in recent years. The 2015 is perfumed and generous, the kind of Margaux that shows its charm early and keeps it for a long time.

2015 Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc - 12+ btls @ $59.99/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $56.99/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $53.99/btl
Vinous 89 Neal Martin (2019)

Jean Gautreau built Sociando-Mallet into a benchmark without ever needing a classification on the label. The 2015 is savory and structured, with cassis, cedar and graphite. Give it a decant if you open it now.

2016

2016 Chateau Brane-Cantenac, 2eme Cru Classe, Margaux - 12+ btls @ $125/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $118.75/btl | 12+ btls or storage (10% off) @ $112.50/btl
Vinous 96 Neal Martin (2026)

A Second Growth from the Lurton family, and one of the more quietly elegant wines in Margaux. The 2016 is perfumed and silky, with red fruit, violet and a fine, polished frame. Beautiful now, with plenty of life ahead.

2016 Chateau Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc - 12+ btls @ $52.99/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $50.34/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $47.69/btl
Vinous 92 Neal Martin (2026)

A Fifth Growth of the 1855 classification, sitting in the Haut-Médoc and one of the quiet successes of 2016. Because it sits in the extreme southern Médoc right on the border of Margaux, its deep silica-gravel soils produce a style that is far more fragrant, floral, and silky than the muscular, austere northern Médocs (like Saint-Estèphe). Polished, cedar scented and beautifully balanced. It drinks well today and will keep rewarding patience.

2016 Chateau d'Issan 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux - 12+ btls @ $105/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $99.75/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $94.50/btl
Vinous 93 Neal Martin (2026)

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot. 13.34% alc./vol.

A wine with First Growth pedigree. Eric Boissenot, a world renowned consultant who also works with First Growths like Château Margaux and Lafite Rothschild, is the winemaking soul behind d’Issan. There is a reason why this is one of my favorite wines outside of Margaux and Palmer.

2016 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac - 12+ btls @ $125/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $118.75/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $112.50/btl
Vinous 94 Neal Martin (2026)

While officially classified as a Fifth Growth in 1855, Grand-Puy-Lacoste is almost universally considered by critics and collectors as a “Super Second,” consistently outperforming properties that cost two to three times as much. Traditional, Cabernet driven Pauillac from the Borie family. 2016 is one of the great recent vintages, and this wine is just beginning its drinking window, with cassis, cedar and gravel wrapped around fine, structured tannins.

2017

2017 Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien - 12+ btls @ $110/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $104.50/btl | 12+ btls or storage (10% off) @ $99.00/btl
Vinous 96 Antonio Galloni (2020)

Léoville-Barton is notoriously tannic and tight in its youth, but lucky for you, some of the aging has already been done for you! Balance, freshness and restraint. Léoville-Barton is the classic Saint-Julien, made by the Barton family for generations. Firm, polished and built to age.

2017 Chateau Pontet-Canet 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac - 12+ btls @ $134/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $127.30/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $120.60/btl
Vinous 95 Antonio Galloni

One of the most talked about estates in Pauillac, farmed biodynamically and with horses in the vineyard. The 2017 is pure and energetic, with blackcurrant, graphite and a fine, chalky grip. It is a wine that rewards both patience and a decanter. This wine is just stepping into its drinking window but will gracefully age for the next twenty years.

2017 Chateau Potensac - 12+ btls @ $38.99/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $37.04/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $35.09/btl

The Delon family, who also own Léoville Las Cases, make Potensac, and it shows. Classic, savory Médoc with graphite and dark fruit, at a price that is hard to argue with. Open it now and enjoy it over the next several years. This is your quintessential Médoc wine in its peak drinking window.

2017 Chateau Troplong Mondot Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 12+ btls @ $115/btl
6 btls (5% off) @ $109.25/btl | 12 btls or storage (10% off) @ $103.50/btl
Vinous 98.5 Antonio Galloni (2020)

Perched on the highest point of the Saint-Émilion plateau, Troplong Mondot makes some of the most polished and complete wines of the Right Bank. While neighbours like Ausone, Cheval Blanc, and Angélus famously withdrew from the classification system in protest, Troplong Mondot stayed in, solidified its Premier Grand Cru Classé status, and positioned itself as the standard-bearer for Saint-Émilion’s future. The 2017 is dark and opulent yet fresh, with black cherry, spice and layers of fine tannin.

The Smart Buy

This is the best way to buy if you are looking to explore a multitude of Châteaux that are drinking well now but will age for the next 10+ years.

The “Bordeaux Cellar” Twelve-Pack: $1,265.98 value at $1,139.38 with the 12-bottle or storage discount

• 2016 Chateau Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc - 2 btls
• 2016 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac - 2 btls
• 2017 Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien - 2 btls
• 2016 Chateau Brane-Cantenac, 2eme Cru Classe, Margaux - 2 btls
• 2016 Chateau d'Issan 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux - 2 btls
• 2017 Chateau Troplong Mondot Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2 btls

A very intelligent cellar foundation: six estates, all from high-quality vintages, with two bottles of each to follow over time.

As always, we are here for all questions. Please reach out; I’m happy to suggest options if needed. To place your order, please email us at shop@mwcwine.com.

Cheers,
Kimberly Ruth Cavoores, DipWSET
Wine and Experience Director, Manhattan Wine Company