A nice wine from the Cotes de Bordeaux that scored 15 points on the Dionysian Scale, costing under $20 has only one drawback; the 14.5% alcohol. Oak, Black Cherry, and spice, all provide a smooth mouth field, but the alcohol is too much for dinner a dinner wine. The 2010 Chateau Les Charmes-Godard, at 11 years-old is just starting to show classic Bordeaux complexities, but is already at its peak.

I’ve found that 13% is great, 12.5% was perfect, and wines with more alcohol have shorter cellar time and the older styles and never are as good.

Served with beef, a flank steak and baked potato loaded with rich Irish butter.

There was one glass remaining to vacuum pump and store in the fridge for the next day; the wine faded much too quickly. In Vino Veritas.