Five Romantic Bordeaux bottles to open for Saint Valentine’s Day.

If you can’t get to Bordeaux right now and are mourning a planned (but hopefully rescheduled) Bordeaux wine tour, here are a few suggestions for romantic Bordeaux wines to open on Valentines Day.

Chateau Calon Segur is traditionally Bordeaux’s most romantic wine, thanks to the heart featured on the label since the 18th century. It was created by the property’s then owner, the Marquis de Segur. Despite also owning neighbouring Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite at the time, he said his heart lay with Calon Segur and drew a heart around the name just to prove it.

The first wine of the Saint Estèphe château is a classified growth but it has two more affordable siblings. The second wine, Le Marquis de Calon Segur and the third wine Le Saint Estèphe de Calon Segur, which is made from younger vines. They are all Cabernet driven, as befits the appellation and all sport the heart on their label.

A more avant-garde option from the right bank is the Saint Emilion Grand Cru Saintayme. This is a lesser-known wine from Denis Durantouof l’Eglise Clinet in Pomerol, who sadly died last year. When he first made this wine the label was designed by his artist wife Marie Reilhac, and featured a heart sticker that could be removed once the bottle was finished. It now has a more classic label. I took this photo of the 2010 vintage during a tasting there in 2012, you might get lucky and still find one.

Looking for something more light-hearted? (Please excuse the pun). Rosé is always romantic and Bordeaux rosé worth trying if you are not familiar with it.

The Courselle sisters at Château Thieuley in the Entre deux Mers havethe perfect rosé for Saint Valentines,made from the classic right bank blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it has a clear heart at the centre of the label.

Open hearted Chateau Thieuley

Bordeaux might not always wear its heart on its sleeve, but you can often find it on the label.

Happy Valentines Day.

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