2022 | Château d'Arsac Le Kid d'Arsac | Haut-Médoc | France

The playful second wine of a Margaux estate — Merlot-driven Bordeaux at a weeknight price.

Château d'Arsac, run by Philippe Raoux in the Haut-Médoc/Margaux area, makes "Le Kid d'Arsac" as its approachable, Merlot-based cuvée — the fun little sibling to the grand vin. Named with a wink, it's built for early drinking: soft, fruit-forward Bordeaux without the wait.

An estate-made Bordeaux for under forty is exactly the everyday red worth stocking. Merlot-led, estate-grown, ready now → the grand vin costs far more → at $40.99 you're pouring real château Bordeaux any night of the week.

• Merlot-based Bordeaux blend
• Haut-Médoc — Bordeaux, France
• Château d'Arsac — Philippe Raoux
• Approachable second-label cuvée, drink now

Ripe plum, black cherry and a touch of cedar over soft, rounded tannins. Translation: easygoing, fruit-forward Bordeaux — supple and ready to drink, no cellaring required. A true weeknight claret.

Estate Bordeaux with a sense of humor and a friendly price. Exactly the bottle to keep on hand for a Tuesday.