Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2020 Chateau de la Chapelle
Côtes de Bordeaux AOC
French Red Wine
Everything Wine
$33.99
Various locations
If you’ve shied away from Bordeaux wine because of its association with expensive, top-tier wines, think again. The 2020 Château de la Chapelle Grand Vin de Bordeaux is a great example of the quality and value that can be found in Bordeaux. The Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux DGC sub-appellation, located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary north of Bordeaux, offers both approachability and structure in a classic Right Bank style. Produced predominantly from Merlot (around 85%) with a smaller portion of Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reflects the appellation’s emphasis on fruit-forward, accessible reds.
In the glass, the 2020 Château de la Chapelle shows a medium ruby color. The nose reveals ripe raspberry and plum alongside notes of vanilla, clove, toast, and a touch of smoke. On the palate, these flavours carry through with juicy fruit supported by hints of dark chocolate and a light savoury edge. The wine is medium-bodied with moderate acidity and firm but approachable tannins, giving it a structured yet easy-drinking character.
Overall, this is a straightforward, enjoyable wine that reflects the strengths of the 2020 Bordeaux vintage—ripe fruit, balance, and structure—while remaining true to the Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux easy drinking style. It pairs well with hearty dishes such as roast lamb, red meats, or firm cheeses.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, and Italian Wine Essentials certification. She is currently pursuing the Bordeaux Master's program with the Wine Scholar Guild. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass