Château Muret, Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux, France 2012

The Haut-Médoc is a good source of value in Bordeaux, and this blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example of what can be found. Château Muret, located just north of St-Estèphe, had been neglected before it was bought by the Boufflerd family in 1985. They turned it round and have been making good-value, modern wine of cru bourgeois status ever since. With some welcome maturity, this is open and approachable, and would make a perfect lunchtime claret – good classicism, uncomplicated black curranty fruit and in a lighter style (aged for a year in oak, 30% new, after fermentation in steel).