2019 Le Galouchey, Vin de Jardins Rouge "MMXIX"

Sumptuous yet elegant, rich yet refined, soulful and silky…the superlatives were flowing freely as this incredibly unique red made its way around the table. Le Galouchey is a “cult” wine in every way except one: It is not expensive. In fact, it is shockingly affordable given that it hails from a tiny, one-hectare “estate” helmed by a famous Parisian sommelier, Marco Pelletier. It’s found in star-studded spots like Le Bernadin in New York, République in Los Angeles, and of course at Pelletier’s own spot, the acclaimed Vantre in Paris (winner of “Best Wine List” from the Revue du Vin de France in 2021). The pedigree and quality is obvious from the first sip, but Pelletier and his partner prefer to think of it as a “garden wine,” produced on the “wrong side” of the Dordogne River, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Bottom line? It’s a sumptuous, velvety Bordeaux (if not in name) that ranks as one of the most amazing Bordeaux values we’ve ever encountered. Much as we shouldn’t hype it up so much (w