No frills or fancy castles here. Just true grit, hard work and a passion for classic clarets. The result is a regular Gold-medal, ripe, velvety Bordeaux red.

Ludovic Roussillon is one of the top viticulteurs in Bordeaux’s Entre-Deux-Mers. He knows how to coax the very best out of his soils to get the most flavour in his grapes. Work hard in the vineyard and the wine almost makes itself, he says. We’ve worked with Ludovic for a number of years, enjoying both his red and his white from Château Le Coin. This is another wine from his vineyards – mostly Merlot, with a little Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon – all vinified to bring out the fruit richness, supported by sleek tannins.

Rethink Bordeaux with this supple, generously fruity, rounded red. It’s already drinking really well, with or without food. Roast beef, full flavoured pasta dishes, charcuterie, cheese – this wine is very versatile.

Founded 200 years ago, Château Pédesclaux is a magnificent estate, both in terms of wine and architecture. It combines the beauty of the 19th century with the modernity and technological advances of the 21st.

The additional work was undertaken by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, whose aim was to place “production at the heart of the estate within a high-performance building that is entirely fit for purpose and makes a harmonious whole with both the château and its surroundings”. It's quite something to behold.

Since the Lorenzetti family took ownership they've converted to organic. Their top wine is a rich, Cabernet-based claret, supported by Merlot, and finely expresses its gravel terroir. Still a young wine – best to cellar or open early.

Our Buyer for Bordeaux, Jean-Marc Sauboua, praises this wine as "Lovely mellow maturity to this well-aged Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, a sibling to Château Plaisance", their flagship Grand Cru.

The 65-year-old vines are planted on prized gravel and sandy soils in the southwest of Saint-Émilion, which means they are very well drained and the grapes at harvest time are exceptionally concentrated. The fruit is hand-picked and meticulously selected.

This opulent Gold-winning Grand Cru is a Merlot dominant blend (80%) with the balance made up of Cabernet Franc (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). A careful hand in the vineyard and the cellar, along with 14+ months' ageing in new oak, ensure pretty fruit with enough power and structure to age. Indeed, it’s rare to obtain a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru with over 10 years’ age and at such a sensible price!

Enjoy aromas of mature red fruits, tobacco, earthy undergrowth, as well as tertiary elements of leather. Over 10 years cellaring has resulted in a silky palate of mellow red fruit, earthy tobacco and gentle spice oak notes. Stand the bottle upright a few hours, so that any sediment there is will drop to the bottom. Then carefully decant. Serve with simple dishes to show it at its best – roast duck or crisp pork belly works best.