by Steve Adelman
The Bordeaux East Bank Wine Dinner at Texsom took attendees on a thoughtful journey through Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Fronsac, with six magnum selections poured to show the depth and range of the Right Bank. The dinner balanced guided commentary with carefully chosen dishes that underscored the personality of each wine.
The evening began with Château Canon Pécresse 2018 (Canon Fronsac, 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc). Youthful and energetic, it showed ripe blackberry and plum framed by savory spice and firm tannins from the Cabernet Franc. Its vigor and freshness paired naturally with lighter first courses, bright enough to awaken the palate while hinting at Fronsac’s signature backbone.
Next came L’Égérie Château Chéreau 2016 (Lussac Saint-Émilion, 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc), a softer wine with rounded cherry fruit, supple tannins, and a touch of herbal lift. It carried more approachability, aligning well with delicate seafood or poultry plates that let the red fruit glide forward.
The third wine, Château Saint-Georges 2015 (Saint-Georges Saint-Émilion, 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc), added dimension and complexity. Dark berries and cassis mingled with cedar and mineral notes, while the structure of both Cabernets brought grip and length. This was the first wine of the night to show true weight, standing up easily to richer fare.
From there, the lineup moved into more mature bottles. Moulin Galhaud 2008 (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc) revealed earthy depth: dried cherry, leather, and tobacco wrapped in softened tannins. With over a decade of age, it carried a graceful maturity that made it an ideal companion for braised dishes or roasted meats with herbal seasoning.
The lone Pomerol, Château La Cabanne 2010 (94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc), proved to be one of the highlights of the evening. It was plush and layered, with dark plum, blackberry, and subtle truffle notes over a silken texture. A classic 2010, it balanced richness with firm structure, making it an easy partner for hearty mains such as short rib or lamb.
Closing the flight was Château Grand Corbin-Despagne 2009 (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon). Polished and complete, it showed ripe black fruit, graphite, and spice with a long, elegant finish. At its peak of maturity, the wine married density with refinement, finding a natural match with aged cheeses and earthy sides that emphasized its depth.
Each course of the dinner was crafted to frame these wines rather than compete with them, building in weight and richness as the evening advanced. Together, the food and wine told a cohesive story: the youthful vigor of Fronsac, the broad appeal of Saint-Émilion, the velvet allure of Pomerol, and the maturity of seasoned Grand Crus.
By the end of the night, the wines had spoken not only of their terroirs but also of Bordeaux’s enduring ability to balance fruit, structure, and age-worthiness. It was a dinner that blended learning with pleasure, leaving no doubt as to why the East Bank remains one of Bordeaux’s most compelling voices.
