Chateau de Fifteen Bucks

French wine labels, while carrying all the necessary information, tend to be misleading. A $200 Bordeaux will carry a very similar label to a $5 bottle, and it's possible neither are very good. Some foodie friends of ours from Wallingford had us over tonight and offered Chateau Chantemerle Medoc 2005 ($). At $15, this bottle is a steal. The wine is a blend of merlot, cabernet, and malbec from vines that would be described in the U.S. as ancient. In Europe, obviously, they're still considerably young at 20. It was well balanced, flavorful, and structured. This is a very drinkable Bordeaux at an easily digestible price.