Croquette Brasserie Tour de France Vin Rouge

French has become an important language in my house with a daughter and son-in-law in the Congo and another daughter having four years of French language. So a trip to Croquette, as I have written in the past, is like a trip to Paris, but only driving to North Hills.  It is also an opportunity to explore french wine.  For me, that means I must do my homework.  With a french red wine list ranging from $35 to $275 a bottle, it pays to do your homework.

Armed with dangerous knowledge that Bourdeaux's have had a great decade, I looked for that best value bottle on the wine list.  The first investigation was Château Lagarasso, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Bourdeaux, France, 2008.  This was from a best value year, since the 2008's are not as highly prized, but still very good.  Some Internet research revealed this wine runs about $18 in the stores, so $40 in a restaurant was not too far off price wise.  There was also a Château La Boureé, Côtes de Castillon, Bourdeaux, France, 2009 at $38.  2009's are more highly prized so I was a bit suspicious for being priced less than the 2008..

Since we were going with friends, I thought I would play it safe and select the St. Cosmes, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2010, a Syrah based Cotes du Rhone. It has good Internet reviews and was described as a full bodied wine has an ample supply of dark, brooding black fruit that melds beautifully with a spiciness that lingers without overstaying its welcome.  It was bolder than most Cotes du Rhone owing the 100% Syrah fruit.  Robert Parker gave it an 89 and the wine was wonderful.  We asked for a second bottle but it was not to be found in the restaurant.  Alas, they were sold out.

So on to the value priced 2008 Château Lagarasso, Grand Vin de Bordeaux.  A little tight when first opened this wine blossomed with time, although still not as rich and tasty as the St. Cosmes.  Since we were not as happy with the Chateau Lagrasso as the St. Cosmes, we tried the Château La Boureé.  We also asked that it be decanted since it was 2009.  It showed much better than the Chateau Lagrasso.

When the wine is so good you want to know more about it, it is good wine.  The next time we go to Croquettte, if they are out of the St. Cosmes, I am heading straight to the 2009 Chateau La Bouree.  I am also on a search to find these in the local stores.