Bordeaux
JUNE 2026
When one of our suppliers was at Wine Paris in February, we got the offer to purchase your club Médoc on a pre-sale, and without a moment of hesitation, I snatched it up for you, dear wine club members. I know this wonderful Bordeaux because we direct imported it through J. Strecker Selections back in the day, and it sold like hot cakes for $23.99. Why this wine is now available for $18.99, I'm really not sure. Bordeaux has a wine glut right now, so maybe the producer needed to lower their inventory? Whatever the reason, you're getting a Cru Bourgeois that is absolutely outstanding. In my opinion, it's the most wine for the money that we've had in this wine club for years, maybe ever. Hope you dig it as much as Julie and I do. We have extra available if you agree.
Your second club wine is a Bordeaux Blanc from Entre-Deux-Mers. Enjoy both wines. It's a terrific club – everyday wines from one of the most famous wine regions in the world.
Photo top: Phare de Richard (Richard's Lighthouse) in Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac (Médoc) – 5 minutes east of Château La Pirouette
Photo above: Town Hall in Saint-Genis-du-Bois (Entre-Deux-Mers) where Château Petit Freyon is located // credit: Henry Salomé
Château Petit Freylon
Entre-Deux-Mers (Bordeaux)
Entre-Deux-Mers (= Between Two Rivers) is the land between the Gironde River and the Dordogne River (area in green on the map). Most people think of Bordeaux as producing high-end red wines, but 50% of its total production is table reds and 10% is white wines, many of which come the vineyards between the two rivers. These whites are traditionally a blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon with other grapes such as Muscadelle being a common addition. They are known as crisp (but not tart), easy-drinking, well-priced white wines.
Your club selection comes from Château Petit-Freylon, located near the village of Saint-Genis-du-Bois. The estate has 30 hectares of vineyards, 20 of which are in the Bordeaux Superior appellation. The vines are 30 years old and are planted in clay & limestone vineyards. "The estate is heavily invested in numerous conservational initiatives such as recycling waste, improving biodiversity, reworking vineyard management, efficient use of resources and counteracting all forms of pollution" and is certified at the highest level of the High Environmental Value (HVE Level 3) in addition to the ISO 14001 certification.
Chateau Petit Freylon 2024 Bordeaux Blanc • Bordeaux, France • Reg $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
Sauvignon Blanc 85%, Sémillon 15%. Ruby red grapefruit, herbal notes on the nose. Flavors of pink & white grapefruit, mango, tart pineapple, tropical fruits. Medium-bodied. Long, fresh, citrusy finish. Not crazy tart, but delicious. Lingers on your tongue. Crazy amount of wine for the money. Jens: Watch the French in the World Cup and say: Santé with this wine! Drink now to 2 years. Great with most summer dinners.
Médoc
Left Bank (Bordeaux)
The appellations to the south of the Gironde River are known as the Left Bank and include Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux & more. The soils on the Left Bank are gravelly and conducive to growing Cabernet Sauvignon, which usually dominates the blend.
Médoc is the northernmost appellation on the Left Bank. Your club wine comes from Médoc with vineyards close to the river. It's a Cru Bourgeois, which is a classification given to properties that were not listed in the historic 1855 Grand Cru Classé designation but are considered of exceptional quality. The prices for Cru Bourgeois are lower, which often makes a superb value proposition... which is what you're getting in your club.
Fun fact: Jim McDermott, our retired US Representative for the 7th Congressional District (and former wine club member), lives in Médoc in the village of Civrac-en-Médoc, about 15 minutes southeast of the winery.
Photo above: Château Tour de By (located 15 kms to the south of Chateau La Pirouette along the river). The photo is facing east across the Gironde, showing the massivity of the river.
Château La Pirouette
Médoc (Bordeaux)
Château La Pirouette is located in the extreme north of the Médoc, in the last vineyards before the ocean on well-exposed, gravelly soil. Michèle Roux (pictured with her son Brice, who has joined her in the management of the estate) has been the head of this 30-hectare estate since 1998 and is passionate about oenology and horses.
Chateau La Pirouette 2023 Médoc Cru Bourgeois • Bordeaux, France • Reg $18.99 | Mixed Case $15.19
Wines from the gravelly soils of the Left Bank tend to have more Cab than Merlot, and this wine is no exception: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Aged 12 months in oak barrels (25% new oak).
Cassis, gravel, coffee on the nose. Super complex. Well-balanced. Fine acidity. Flavors of black currant, blackberries, plums, coffee, hazelnut. Fine tannins with a note of bittersweet chocolate on the long finish. Cru Bourgeois at its best. $18.99 is highway robbery for you, dear Portalis wine club members! Drink now. Winery says to enjoy with grilled meats. We agree.
A Note from Jens:
Above is one last view of the modest and amazing Château La Pirouette. The wine you're getting for the money is stunning. I hope you love it (and the Bordeaux Blanc) as much as we do. Wonderful examples of everyday wines coming out of Bordeaux right now.
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. We host this tasting so that you can taste and learn about your wines before enjoying them at home.
You'll also be able to taste the FLAGSHIP club wines. Our June theme is Northwest Spain, featuring an Albariño blend from Rías Baixas, a Mencia blend from Bierzo, and a Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero. Super fun club... let's go exploring!
Hope you can join!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).