2006 Chateau Douley Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, France

About This Wine

Looking for an affordable alternative to Chateau Petrus?

We are not asserting that this Grand Vin de Bordeaux from Chateau Douley matches Petrus in stature. After all, there is only one Petrus. But if you'd like to get an idea of how Petrus is constructed, what kind of texture it has, and what type of fruit flavors you'd expect to encounter — without having to give up the family vacation to afford it — then this wine is the answer.

Many are surprised to learn that the main grape variety in Petrus is Merlot. There's an inaccurate assumption that if it says "Bordeaux" on the label, the wine inside must be Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes, there is Cabernet in Chateau Douley's Grand Vin de Bordeaux, but a full 80 percent of the blend is Merlot.

Chateau Douley's vineyards are ideally situated on south- and southeast-facing hillsides, their soil a mix of limestone, clay and gravel. It may not be Petrus, but it's an undeniably enjoyable bottle of wine.

About Bordeaux Blend

A Bordeaux Blend is a blended red wine with six varities: Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere.

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Cabernet Franc
• Grape Source:Premier Cotes de Bordeaux Appellation of France
• Aromas & Flavors:Strawberry, Black Cherry, Plum, Chocolate & Coffee
• When to Drink:Now Through 2012
• Food Pairing Suggestiongrilled meat, or a turkey burger.

Member Ratings

Recipes.

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  Beef Roast With Winter Fruit This recipe is ideal for the chilly evenings of winter, and matches beautifully with Cabernet Sauvignon or red Bordeaux. It makes 12 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Maytag Bleu T Bone Steaks We decided to tap the "Born to Grill" cookbook for this amazingly flavorful recipe for the summer. It serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Tomato Pesto Pasta A wonderful match with Cabernet Sauvignon, this recipe helps bring out the fruitful quality of the wine. It also matches nicely with other red wines, and serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Lemony Lamb Chops Here's a versatile dish that matches well with red Bordeaux or Merlot, yet also can be enjoyed with white wines because of its lemon-flavored sauce. It makes 4 servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
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  Pan Fried Lamb Chops This recipe, which makes 4 servings, features flavors that can be enjoyed with virtually any red wine. Turn it into a complete meal with a side dish jasmine rice. Get The Recipe
  

  Barbecued Short Ribs With Asian Marinade This recipe, which serves 6, makes an anything-but-typical companion to red wine blends that are based on the varieties of Bordeaux. If you can't find certain ingredients at your supermarket, track down a Korean market... Get The Recipe
  

  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe