Château Cap de Faugères 2019 from Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is a rich, dark and impressively polished right‑bank Bordeaux, loaded with plush fruit and serious structure while still offering terrific value for money. This 2019 Château Cap de Faugères is primarily Merlot off clay‑limestone slopes in Sainte‑Colombe, with Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon adding lift and backbone.

In the glass it’s deep purple‑black, with aromas of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and elderberry wrapped in notes of licorice, dark chocolate, briar, melted tar, violets and a twist of cardamom and cocoa. The palate is full‑bodied and mouth‑coating yet balanced, showing juicy dark fruits, blackcurrant and plum over firm but fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, slightly briny, savoury finish that promises real development with time in bottle. It’s hedonistic and fruit‑rich, but the limestone freshness keeps everything in check.

This is a cracking Bordeaux to put alongside chargrilled rib‑eye, lamb cutlets with rosemary, slow‑braised beef cheeks or a rich mushroom and thyme ragù, where its dark fruit and tannin can really flex. It will also work beautifully with roast duck, aged hard cheeses and charred veg, and has the structure to cellar comfortably for a decade or more if you’d like to watch it unwind.