Chill a … Bordeaux?
If you like the idea of a crisp rosé on a summery October day but really prefer a red, say hello to Clairet, a light, refreshing red from Bordeaux?
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Think of red wine, and chances are that you’ll imagine something dark and intense in color, with deep, brooding fruit and perhaps oak aromas and a tart and tannic flavor, a wine that might benefit from aging but, even in its youth, can make us happy with its flavor and its potential.
If we believe that it’s a wine’s duty to be red (as the British wine writer Harry Waugh famously said), then it’s not as easy to get excited about even the most imposing whites; much less rosé wines with their famously light, ethereal style.
And yet … as much as I enjoy a good, inky, teeth-staining red wine, from Chianti Classico to Bordeaux and beyond, I like the fascinating variety of the world of wine even more. Give me the reds, and the whites, and yes, the rosés in all their forms, and I’ll explore them all happily. I’ll bet you feel the same way.
Especially when the weather is hot – and even as we move into October it’s still plenty warm around here – the idea of a fresh, gulpable red wine hits the spot for me. I’m imagining something poised translucently on the color spectrum between red cherries and red roses. Full of juicy red-berry and cherry aromas and flavors, yum, and shaped by fresh-fruit acidity but very little tannin. Mmmm!
In other words, I’m thinking of this week’s featured wine, Chateau La Freynelle Bordeaux Clairet.
That’s Clairet (pronounced “Cleh-RAY”) the French name for what was likely the original Bordeaux in centuries before the British trade prompted a transition to the complex, oak-aged and cellarworthy red wines that made Bordeaux famous. Clairet was light, clear, and fresh, and never saw the inside of a barrel. It was a wine made to be enjoyed right away, drunk up within a year, and never, ever cellared.
Chateau Margaux, one of the great first growths of Bordeaux, It currently sells for an average $755 for a bottle. Bordeaux Clairet sits at the other end of the price spectrum, but that’s no reason to look down on it.
British fanciers surely had the old name in mind when they coined the name Claret (“CLER-it”) as a generic moniker for Bordeaux. Clairet largely dropped out of use, although I wouldn’t doubt that some producers continued making a little for the vineyard workers and their own enjoyment.
Happily, Bordeaux Clairet has been resurrected for the French and export markets in modern times. It’s still very much a niche item, but it can be found. The regulations consider it a rosé, but it’s far more red than pink. It’s a light, fruity, and very enjoyable Bordeaux, made for immediate enjoyment and available at modest prices.
A label on the bottle of La Freynelle Clairet suggests serving the wine chilled, and a light chill does indeed enhance its refreshing nature. Don’t overdo it, though: The wine’s exuberant, juicy fruit flavors will only lose their brightness if the wine is served too cold. Stashing it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or the freezer for 10 should be plenty. Don’t forget it’s in there!
Today’s Tasting Report
Chateau La Freynelle 2024 Bordeaux Clairet ($17.99)
Clear, light ruby-red in color, on the cusp between red and rosé, Chateau La Freynelle Clairet defines the term “fresh” with its bright, juicy, and gulpable raspberry, strawberry, and juicy cherry aromas and flavors. Crisp, mouth-watering acidity provides structure for a bouquet of ripe fruit flavors. Tannins aren’t obvious, and light 12% alcohol stays out of the way. U.S. importer: Aquitaine Wine USA, Berkeley, Calif.; a Jean-Christophe Calvet Selection. (Sept. 27, 2025)
FOOD MATCH: This fresh, juicy wine is easy to sip on its own, but its fruit and acidic structure make it a natural food wine that would fare well with poultry, pork, tomato-sauced pasta, salmon, or mussels.
WHEN TO DRINK: Freshness is the key here, and it’s best to stick with the current vintage.
VALUE:
This wine offers good value at Wine-Searcher.com’s $17 average U.S. retail price.
WEB LINK:
Here’s a detailed fact sheet in English from producer Véronique Barthe.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and find vendors for Chateau La Freynelle Clairet on Wine-Searcher.com.
Read about Bordeaux Clairet and find other wines of this type at this Wine-Searcher link.
Click this Wine-Searcher link to browse producer Vignobles Philippe Barthe’s portfolio and find vendors for the wines.
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Good wines we’ve tried under $10.99!
Want tips to find more good, inexpensive wines? Here are Wine-Searcher links to vendors and prices for a bunch more wines for $10.99 or less that I’ve told you about in recent years. In some cases, the prices may have risen over the $10.99 mark since I reviewed them, but they should still be excellent bargains. Please tell us about your favorites!
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Fascinating, can't wait to try a Clairet, thanks Robin!