Chateau de Parsac Bordeaux Kosher

Chateau de Parsac Bordeaux Kosher is a Mevushal kosher red Bordeaux from Montagne Saint-Émilion at 13.0% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2019 vintage earned 90 points on Wine-Searcher, and the wine stands out as one of the few kosher-for-Passover Bordeaux expressions that also carries Mevushal certification under Orthodox Union supervision.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.0%  |  Origin: Montagne Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France  |  Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc  |  Certification: OU Mevushal Kosher

Production & Heritage

Chateau de Parsac draws its fruit from 10 hectares of vineyard planted on south-facing limestone-clay slopes in Montagne Saint-Émilion, a satellite appellation on the right bank of Bordeaux known for producing approachable, Merlot-dominant reds. The blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is aged in oak barrels, contributing structure and subtle spice to the finished wine. What distinguishes this cuvée from other right-bank Bordeaux is its Mevushal status — the wine undergoes flash-pasteurization, allowing it to be served and handled by anyone while retaining its kosher-for-Passover certification under OU supervision.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh raspberry and cherry lead the nose, layered with baking spice, vanilla, and cedar. Earthy undertones of tobacco leaf and bark emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is round and soft, with ripe cherry jam and sweet plum dominating the mid-palate. Dark fruit flavors — cassis and plum — carry mineral and gravel notes alongside a subtle smokiness. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied yet fleshy, with enough concentration to hold your attention.

Finish: Velvety tannins give way to a long, fruity finish with lingering spice and a trace of earth. The fruit stays clean and focused without turning heavy or tannic.

How to Drink Chateau de Parsac

Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). A brief decant of 20–30 minutes helps the aromatics open up, but this wine is approachable straight from the bottle. Its soft tannins and fruit-forward profile also make it versatile for pairing-driven meals. For a classic Bordeaux serve, try it alongside braised short ribs where the plum and cedar notes mirror the richness of the meat. It pairs naturally with a Sephardic lamb tagine, where the wine's spice and dark fruit echo warm North African seasonings. A hard aged cheese plate — Manchego or aged Gouda — draws out the wine's mineral and earthy qualities.

Best For

• Passover Seder and other kosher holiday meals requiring Mevushal wine
• Shabbat dinners where the wine may be handled by varied guests
• Gifting to someone who appreciates authentic Bordeaux with kosher certification
• Weeknight dinners calling for a well-structured, food-friendly red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chateau de Parsac taste like? It delivers ripe cherry, plum, and cassis flavors with earthy undertones of tobacco and mineral, supported by velvety tannins and a medium-bodied, fleshy texture. Cedar and baking spice from oak aging add depth without overwhelming the fruit.

How does Chateau de Parsac compare to Les Lauriers des Barons de Rothschild Montagne Saint-Émilion? Both wines share the same appellation and an identical 80% Merlot / 20% Cabernet Franc blend, and in side-by-side tastings the 2020 Chateau de Parsac has been described as nearly a carbon copy of the Rothschild bottling. The key differentiator is that Chateau de Parsac carries Mevushal kosher certification, making it suitable for observant households that require that standard.

Is Chateau de Parsac good for sipping neat? Yes — its soft, round tannins and fruit-forward profile make it easy to enjoy on its own without food, especially after a short decant to let the cherry and spice aromatics develop fully.

Where is Chateau de Parsac made? It is produced from vineyards in Montagne Saint-Émilion, a satellite appellation of Saint-Émilion on the right bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate's 10 hectares sit on south-facing limestone-clay slopes, a terroir well suited to Merlot.

What foods pair well with Chateau de Parsac? Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's earthy depth and plum notes. Grilled ribeye steak matches its medium body and soft tannins. Mushroom risotto echoes the earthy, mineral character. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego draw out the wine's cedar and spice. Moroccan-spiced tagines with dried fruit mirror the wine's baking spice and dark fruit profile.

What sizes does Chateau de Parsac come in? The standard bottling is available in a 750ml format.

Is Chateau de Parsac worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-to-mid-level Bordeaux that punches above its price tier, particularly within the kosher wine category where genuine Bordeaux options with Mevushal certification are limited. The 90-point score on the 2019 vintage reinforces its standing as strong value for right-bank Bordeaux.

Why Chateau de Parsac?

Finding a true Bordeaux that satisfies both wine enthusiasts and kosher dietary laws — including Mevushal status — narrows the field considerably, and Chateau de Parsac fills that gap with real substance. The south-facing limestone-clay terroir of Montagne Saint-Émilion gives the wine genuine regional character rather than the generic fruit profile that plagues many kosher-labeled reds. A 90-point score on the 2019 vintage from Wine-Searcher confirms that the quality holds up on its own merits, not just relative to its certification. For anyone seeking an authentic right-bank Bordeaux that meets OU Mevushal standards without compromising on typicity, this is one of the most credible options available.