Le Rosé du Cardinal, Bordeaux 2025.

Appellation: Bordeaux

Producer: Château Palais Cardinal just to the south of Saint-Émilion

Vintage: 2025

Grape Varieties: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 12.50% ABV

Winemaking: No oak. All stainless steel for freshness and precision

Serving Temperature: 7°C

Style: Dry and light

While I appreciate the attractions of Provence rosé that has become extremely fashionable over the last decade or so, when it comes to value-for-money, I find Bordeaux rosé to be way ahead of the competition. It is genuinely light and refreshing, it has subtle aromatic complexity thanks to the Bordeaux family of grape varieties used to make it, and its price speaks for itself.

Le Rosé du Cardinal is exactly the sort of uncomplicated young Bordeaux rosé that earns its place at the table through sheer drinkability. It is inexpensive, youthful and deliberately feather light, with the emphasis firmly on freshness rather than weight or winemaking embellishment. Stainless-steel vinification and the absence of oak keep everything clean and precise, allowing this Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend to make its point without unnecessary decoration.

This is not a rosé chasing richness or concentration; its appeal lies in being nimble, dry and refreshingly direct. The restrained winemaking reinforces that sense of clarity and makes it a particularly easy bottle to reach for when you want something refreshing rather than demanding. Served properly chilled, it has all the makings of a very useful warm-weather Bordeaux.

Ready to drink now and best enjoyed through 2028. Serve at around 7°C with fresh prawns, grilled white fish or a tomato and goat’s cheese tart. Straightforward, fresh and very easy to like—good-value Bordeaux rosé doing precisely what it should.

Post arrival price will be $26.95