When Bordeaux Goes Rogue—in the Best Way
Finding great wines at great value in Bordeaux has become a difficult proposition. For over 25 years, Didier Michaud created Domain Planquette–producing a wonderful Bordeaux wine made using natural techniques well before it was trendy to do so. The Planquette tradition continues to this day, produced from a combination of old vines of Merlot Queue Rouge and massale selection Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the heart of the Medoc. Coming to you at the low price of $19.98, this is a wine that punches way above its weight.
Planquette has been organic and non-interventionist from the beginning, using only wild yeasts with no extraction and no added sulfur. This wine is produced from a 1.7 hectare vineyard (so this is a tiny production), but we do everything we can to bring as much of this unique wine to you as is possible. With this vintage coming in at only 12.5% alcohol, the nose is exceptionally floral with notes of dark fruit, with tobacco, leather, and spice coming through on the palate of this expectedly tannic and acid forward wine.
All of the vines picked for this project come from inside the Medoc appellation, but Planquette is labelled as a Vin de France after Michaud refused to use cloning for his vines instead of the massal selection that he preferred, a requirement that the appellation insists upon. Massal selection refers to the practice of using cuttings from old vines of higher quality. No one knows exactly how old the vines are at Domaine Planquette, but the expectation is that the oldest vines are close to 100 years old.
Didier Michaud retired in 2021 due to health issues, but Domaine Planquette continues his philosophy of producing certified organic, approachable yet complex red wines using the same methods developed over the past decades. The estate has been taken over by two local winemakers, Blandine Prévot et Jérémy Borde, who have pledged to honor the legacy of this unique and beloved project.
This is a wine that is age-worthy with the requisite tannic structure and acidity, but is also quite enjoyable now if you can’t wait to pop open a bottle and see what the fuss is about. Planquette has a dedicated band of followers amongst our customers for good reason, as those that are in-the-know purchase cases from every vintage until there is nothing left. The floral nose and earthy and spicy palate will make the 2021 Planquette a welcome addition to summer barbecues as the weather heats up. Don’t miss out on your chance to take advantage of this exceptional value.
