Could just say we got every last bottle of this 2015 with 97 points for $26 and watch it sell out…

But as Spies and Operatives go, we like to explore the WHY and the HOW of things. At HQ we make, break, and fix all kinds of gadgets every single day.

So, let’s start by asking Antonio Galloni’s Vinous how good a year was it? “Bordeaux enjoyed its strongest vintage in a number of years in 2015. The warm, dry summer yielded opulent wines built on intense fruit and voluptuous textures. At their best, the 2015s are spectacularly rich, racy wines loaded with personality.”

Oh, Antonio, is that so? And 97 points by the prestigious Decanter? That ain’t no easy feat, how do you explain that?

For that, the keywords lie in Cru Bourgeois and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate explains “This is not the fantasy land inhabited by châteaux that made it onto the immutable classification back in 1855. This is an alternate universe, with châteaux that must fight for attention, those that live and die by the quality inside the bottle, for which Cru Bourgeois classification can represent a vital platform toward gaining an audience… wines inclined to paste stupid big grins on your face, as their quality truly sparkles; moreover, they probably cost a fraction of nearly every Grand Cru Classé.”

Yes, that big grin is there. At 26 bucks we’re even giggling. Make that laughing, all the way to the bank!

Close your eyes and you’re in Saint-Estèphe, which is not too far due south actually. The clayey soils are ideal for a Merlot dominance here, Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc filling in, with a touch of Petit Verdot adding complexity and spice to the rich core of blackberry, plum, and crème de cassis. Deft hints of earth and minerals add to the layers and the length. A showstopper for the money, ‘tis a quintessential Médoc.

The genius behind this wine is top consultant Éric Boissenot aka “Bordeaux’s Secret Weapon” as Wine Spectator calls him, which makes it obvious why this wine is so world-class. His clients are the who’s who in Bordeaux, including all First Growths but Haut-Brion plus Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Barton, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande, Ducru Beaucaillou, Montrose, Cos d’Estournel, Calon Segur, Brane Cantenac, Rauzan Segla, Beychevelle, and on and on. The list is so long that by the time you get to those lesser-known properties like Castera, the audience is long asleep.

Now as if all that wasn’t enough, Castera is not one of those young designer Châteaux, owned by some luxury conglomerate. Its illustrious history dates back to the Middle Ages! Famous owners include major 14th-century exporters the d’Arsacs, Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris, the Marquis de Verthamon, and finally Alexis Lichine - author of the Encyclopedia of Wines & Spirits, and owner of Château Prieur-Lichine, who also put Castera on the modern wine map of Bordeaux.

For heaven’s sake, need more be said?

97 Points – Decanter

“There are plenty of good options at Cru Bourgeois level in this vintage. Coffee, tobacco, and oak on the nose. Juicy and balanced on the palate with pronounced blackcurrant and smoke spice. Good expression of black fruit on the finish.”