Best-selling claret: Top Bordeaux wines under £20

Bordeaux remains a key category in the UK wine trade, and the quality and value of wines retailing under £20 is higher than ever.

With a succession of fine vintages, the days of lean, green cheap Bordeaux wines seem consigned to history.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top 12 Bordeaux wines under £20

In 2020, 188,000hl of Bordeaux wines were exported to the UK, accounting for 22% of the volume of all French AP still wine exports (source: CIVB).

Tom Jenkins, Bordeaux buyer for merchant Justerini & Brooks, highlights the importance of the region’s lower-priced wines: ‘Day-to-day sales tend to focus more on the value end. There are so many great wines sub-£30.’ Regarding quality, Jenkins notes: ‘Bordeaux has been blessed by a string of excellent vintages, coupled with a new range of winemakers with cutting-edge technology at their disposal and a far better understanding of their vineyards.’

Charles Sichel, export director of Bordeaux-based négociant Maison Sichel, agrees: ‘Bordeaux has never offered such quality across all categories.’ Sichel also highlights the diversity and environmental focus in the region: ‘Sub-£20 is a category which fits every one of the 50 or so Bordeaux APs. The sheer variety offered is considerable and the value for money second to none.’

For my recommendations, 12 leading UK retailers were each asked to submit three top-selling wines from their Bordeaux portfolio.

These ranged from independent/regional merchants (Tanners and Jeroboams), to national outlets (Majestic, M&S, Tesco, Waitrose); Laithwaite’s and The Wine Society represented online, with Berry Bros & Rudd, Corney & Barrow, Goedhuis & Co and Justerini & Brooks completing the dozen. As well as château- bottled wines, a number of retailers showed their ‘in-house’ blends. Many of these are blended by highly respected names, delivering some fine bottles.

The tasting showed that the sub-£20 category delivers quality and value, as well as drinking pleasure.

Vintages ranged from 2014-2019, with 2015, 2016 and 2018 probably the high spots. Of these, 2016 consistently delivered a wonderful combination of ripeness, approachability, fine tannins and some further ageing potential; 2015 was more structured with many at their best now, while 2018 is shaping up to maintain the run of high quality.

Lesser-known areas (Castillon Côte de Bordeaux, Lalande de Pomerol, Puisseguin St-Emilion) also showed that quality levels are reaching new heights. Just 10 years ago, Bordeaux sub-£20 would have been a bit of a minefield, but I would have enjoyed drinking any of the wines I tasted here.

The quality and diversity in this category shows that sub-£20 Bordeaux provides a great opportunity for consumers to experiment, while representing great value for money.

Bordeaux wines under £20: The full list with stockists & prices

Tasting notes below

92 Jean-Pierre Moueix, M&S Saint-Emilion, St-Émilion 2016 – Marks & Spencer £15

92 Château Greysac Médoc (Cru Bourgeois) 2015- Justerini £12.5

92 Château Calvimont Graves 2018 – Jeroboams £15.95

92 Château Abelyce Tesco Finest Saint-Emilion Grand Cru St-Émilion (Grand Cru) 2018 – Tesco £17

92 Château Bel Air Berry Bros. & Rudd Extra Ordinary Claret Graves 2018 – Berry Bros £16.95

91 Château Argadens Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 – The Wine Society £9.95

91 Château La Fleur Coterie Bordeaux 2018 – Goedhius & Co £10.75

91 Château Méaume Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 – Majestic £12.99

91 Corney & Barrow Maison Sichel Company Reserve Claret Bordeaux 2016 – Corney & Barrow £14.25

90 Château de Pitray The Society’s Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2018 – The Wine Society £9.95

90 Château Lalande d’Auvion Médoc 2017 – Waitrose £14.99

88 Château de Colombe Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2019 Laithwaite’s £12.59

Andy Howard’s top 12 picks: Bordeaux wines under £20

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