About nine miles from the ocean and the Gironde estuary, in the small Médoc commune of Gaillan, Château Vieux Gadet has been releasing world-class wines under the radar since the 1920s. The property’s namesake red blend, Château Vieux Gadet, consistently overdelivers, offering a harmonious palate of rich red fruit flavors, warm spices and integrated tannins.

Though winemaking operations at the château have remained rather traditional in its ~100 existence, there have been a few notable changes that really helped kick things up a notch.

For one, its founding family (the Meynards) decided to join the local wine cooperative in the 1980s, a move that helped them revitalize and expand the estate drastically. A decade and a generation later, they opted for independence and Thierry Trento took over as winemaker. And 10 years after that, they’d be accepted to the Crus Artisans du Médoc—or “Artisan Cru,” for short—a classification that celebrates the estate’s hands-on artisan approach to winemaking. (Just 36 estates hold the title, to date!)

All of that to say, the team here certainly has a few tricks up their sleeve.

That cunning is in full display in this perfectly balanced bottling. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it offers a depth of fresh and cooked red plum, cherry and black currant flavors nuanced by wood and tobacco tones. It’s approachable now, yet structured enough to age beautifully.

This is a true Médoc classic—order today so you don’t miss it!