Plus Chateau La Dominique free tasting today

Today is (only) the second of four French May bank holidays which gives us time to celebrate with two firm Uncorked favourites. At Batailley we find a claret that is as reliable value as ever, but in 2014 is getting more and more Cabernet-oriented and this shows in our sample. It's perfumed with complex Cabernet fruit and still showing some quite posh oak. Don't worry though, it still has that Pauillac power backing up all the aroma and flavour. Though the tannins are present in quantity for good ageing, they aren't sturdy as they used to be, rather they are more woven and integrated with a delicate grip - not one of a chicken neck-wringing variety. If you haven't tasted Batailley these past few vintages you'll be surprised to find how close the quality is getting to that of its revered neighbours.

A visit to Climens and Berenice Lurton is always a blend of education and jaw-dropping excellence as we work our way through the individual components of the likely final blend. Tasting here is as near to a vinous crescendo as I've experienced, the barrel samples getting richer, more complex and more botrytis-driven with every draw of the barrel thief. With yields a minuscule 6hl/ha there's a melancholy aspect too as we know that she's losing money on these fabulous value wines.

As one big campaign passes, another one continues. Join us today for a look at a few vintages of La Dominique with the chateau's Sales Manager, Gwendeline Lucas, as we see how they stack up against a couple of Uncorked stalwarts. It will be an afternoon to banish battle fatigue. /CW

Click here to view all 2014 Bordeaux; click on the individual wine name in the table below to see tasting notes