Bordeaux Mega Offer 2025
Pricing available as supply lasts.
SALE CLOSES MONDAY MARCH 17th at 12:00 pm.
ALL WINES AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP starting Wednesday March 19th at 5pm.
Did you get this page from a friend or a social media link?
Sign up for our newsletter to never miss info on our Friday offers or upcoming classes and events.
Hi everyone –
As many of you know, our love of the region and wines of Bordeaux runs deep. Few other regions on the planet have the rich history, the tapestry of styles, and the overall quality of Bordeaux. It doesn’t hurt that we also spend four or five weeks a year there, hanging out with our friends Megan and Julien at Rouge Bordeaux B&B. Join us for the September trip!
Detail wine map of Bordeaux from Delong Wine, who make the best wine maps in the biz.
Today’s offer is wide in scope, with eight wines from two of the top micro-importers in the Twin Cities, plus an amazing collection of gems from the Solo Vino basement (most of which there’s only one bottle available).
Let’s get to it!
The Solo Vino Basement Collection – huge discounts on final stock
The treasures that are in the basement at Solo Vino, sitting quietly in the dark for years, include smatterings of some of the best wines of the world. Bit by bit, Chuck is releasing them and today’s offer is exceptional indeed. LOWEST PRICES EVER ON THESE WINES.
- 2015 Chateau Cantenac Brown (1 bottle available)
- 2016 Chateau Cantenac Brown (3 bottles available)
- 2019 Chateau Smith Haut Lafite (1 bottle available)
- 2019 Chateau Léoville Poyferré (2 bottles available)
Each of these wines represent historic estates and great vintages. The 2015’s and 2016’s are drinking right on point, right now, and will age nicely for another ten years. The 2019’s are entering a good drinking window but will age gracefully for another two decades.
Cantenac Brown is located in Margaux, and true to the style of wines of Margaux they are finessed, detailed, and polished. Plus, being the wines with the most age they are entering a fine drinking window a bit sooner. The opposite is found with the Smith Haut Lafite and the Léoville Poyferré, being from Pessac-Leognan and Saint-Julien, which make darker and more tannic styles of Bordeaux.
All of these wines are truly special and would make an outstanding gift for a wine lover in your life (or a gift to yourself!).
Lompian Imports Selections (Sean Labonty)
Available as a four-pack, or individual bottles (note the Sauternes in the offer is a 375ml, not the 750ml shown)
Many of you know Sean, but if you don’t here’s some background. Me, Sean, and Chuck all met when we opened The Vintage on Selby Avenue in the mid-1990s, and it was there, together, that we all caught the wine bug. Sean went on to become the manager and wine buyer at Solo Vino before he and his wife purchased local distributor and importer Lompian Wines. See the Lompain portfolio.
Earlier this week Sean joined us for the Pour and Explore: Bordeaux wine class and tasting, and showcased a range of amazing wines. My favorite four are in this offer.
Chateau Haut-Riot Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux AOC
This is classic, straight-forward, affordable Bordeaux. It’s also 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (mono-varietal wines are rare in Bordeaux). I like to remind people that Bordeaux produces a massive amount of wine (1.5% of the world’s wine, in fact) and most of it is affordable. This is the kind of wine you find by the glass at bistros throughout the region. It out-performs any Cabernet from California at its price point.
Chateau Lyonnat 2016, Lussac Saint-Émilion AOC
I’ve always loved Chateau Lyonnat, and I’ve poured it for many wine classes over the years. But to be able to offer a Lyonnat with a touch of age to it like this is a rare opportunity. Merlot-based, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc rounding it out, it’s a textural masterpiece. Medium to full bodied with tannins that are integrated thanks to the age. Loads of black currant, plum, and pencil lead aromas. Stunning stuff.
Charmes de Kirwan 2019, Margaux AOC
Again, a personal favorite. Margaux can be hard to shop for because the prices tend to be elevated (“Margaux” on a label adds value, no doubt) and the wines of the region tend to lean into being detailed rather than powerful. This means bad winemaking can’t be hidden behind power and richness. So when it comes to Margaux I often find I have to hunt a bit more, but a find is always worth it. Kirwan is consistent, and even in tough vintages they shine above others at the same price point. But in a great vintage (like we have here), they hit home run after home run. Enjoy this one with lamb.
Château Tuyttens, Sauternes AOC (375ml in the offer, not the 750ml in the photo)
We know the area of Sauternes well, but at our tasting event this was the first time I’ve come across Tuyttens. A quick reading up on the family history checked off all the boxes we seek (family ownership, land stewardship, etc.). Tasting the wine was a true treat. This is the style of Sauternes that I love: not too rich, not too syrupy. More lemon zest and tangerine hit, than textural stickiness. It’s the type of Sauternes that can work as a beautiful dessert with cheese, or as an appetizer at the start. Regardless of how you use it, this is top-notch and also under the radar as a brand. It’s drinking great now, but will age nicely for another decade. Magnificent!
Rue 38 Selections (Ed Schwarz)
Ed is one our favorites in the local wine biz. A tireless worker, he has put together an outstanding collection of wines for his business, Rue 38. His company represents the Monsieur Touton Selctions portfolio, one of the strongest when it comes to the wines of Bordeaux. (They don’t have their portfolio on their website so I can’t show it off to you, but trust me on this!)
Ed was also pouring at our Pour and Explore: Bordeaux event, and these four were some of our favorites.
Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux Rouge, Bordeaux AOC
A go-to value driven Bordeaux. When I’m in Bordeaux I see this available quite often by the glass, but only at the places that seem to be in-the-know. The style of this wine is infinitely approachable, with the classic core of black currant, pencil lead, and black cherry enveloped in a round style with polished tannins. This is a stock-up wine, or pop-on-a-whim wine, perfect for a Tuesday evening with burgers on the grill.
Clos de L’Esperance 2023, Lussac Saint-Émilion AOC
100% Merlot! It’s not easy to find that in Bordeaux, but here ya go. This was also the most popular wine at our event. Take that, Sideways! I AM going to drink my f’n Merlot!
Lussac Saint-Émilion is in a part of Bordeaux known for top-notch Merlot and Cab-Franc based wines. With the map below you can see just how many sub-regions are in this area (causing confusion for many consumers). But the main thing to remember is the style of reds from here lean into mouth-filling, round, juicy, wines that hold up to fats and proteins in a beautiful way.
This wine is PERFECT for having on hand for your wine friends who think they know it all and have rejected Merlot from their life. Pour it for them, they will love it, then tell them the truth. It’s great fun to watch.
Chateau Larose-Trintaudon 2019, Haut-Medoc AOC
This has been a go-to Bordeaux for me since the 1990’s! In fact, it was the 1990 Larose-Trintaudon that first got me excited about Bordeaux. We carried it at Surdyk’s when I worked there in the late 1990s, when Bordeaux was really starting to be ignored by the wine drinking public (too many shiny objects with big scores coming in from Australia at the time).
Again, like all the wines I’m profiling here, it’s a classic style of Bordeaux that really shows off the Cabernet-based Left Bank. On the palate, it showcases a medium to full body with well-integrated tannins. Flavors of ripe blackberry, cassis, and plum lead the way, followed by earthy undertones of leather and graphite. A touch of spice and mocha adds depth to the profile, making it an elegant yet easy-drinking Bordeaux. The acidity is well-balanced, giving it a fresh finish with lingering dark fruit and oak nuances.
Pauillac de Monsieur Touton 2019, Pauillac AOC
THIS WINE IS INCREDIBLE! In my mind, the wine of the night at our tasting. But it’s a confusing wine, for it’s only labeled as “Pauillac” on the front. Pauillac is of course the region, not the producer, but the producer’s name is nowhere on the front label. I can’t tell you how many restaurants around the country simply list this as “Pauillac, 2019” with no further details. It’s a marketing problem for this wine.
But moving away from that, let’s talk about how it tastes. The nose is expressive and layered, offering aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, and ripe plum, intertwined with notes of cedar, tobacco, and a touch of graphite—classic hallmarks of Pauillac. Subtle hints of vanilla and baking spices emerge from well-integrated oak aging.
On the palate, the wine is structured and full-bodied, with firm yet polished tannins. The dark fruit flavors are complemented by nuances of espresso, dark chocolate, and a hint of earthy minerality. A vibrant acidity keeps everything balanced, leading to a long, refined finish with lingering spice and black fruit notes.
Enjoy with ribeye steak or duck confit.
Buying advice
There are many wines here to choose from but don’t get overwhelmed. The go-to bargains are rock solid wines for simply having around the house, and higher end wines over-deliver in a huge way. We’re offering all wines individually, but we also have easy-to-buy four packs based on the importer.
Your purchase of these wines supports locally owned and operated importer/distributors, keeping the profits in Minnesota. That’s important, especially in today’s economic climate.
Thanks, everyone!
Jason Kallsen
Sommelier and founder/owner of Twin Cities Wine Education
Offer and special pricing are available as inventory lasts