With Christmas ever nearer, people's minds are now turning to what they are going to drink over the festive period. Over the past few weeks I have selected some wines to try, but this week I am going all traditional – meaning looking at France, and in particular, Bordeaux.

Situated in the South West of France on the Atlantic coast, the Gironde River runs through Bordeaux and defines its wine trade on both left and right banks. The left bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, while the right is dominated by Merlot.

This leads me neatly to this week's choice, the fantastic right-bank Merlot and Cabernet Franc blended Chateau de saye Bordeaux superior 2009. This wine has been crafted from hand-picked 30 year old vines, giving the winemaker total control.

The rich, plum colour is followed by a nose of spice, dried fruit and plum and when sipped, shows a tight tannic structure which mellows to the soft, rounded flavours of plum, blackberry and blackcurrant.

This full-bodied wine would be a perfect match for beef on Boxing Day and not out of place at the end of the meal with a good cheese board. Available from Marks and Spencer's at £9.99 a bottle.

  • Graeme Hedley is sommelier and expert on food and wine at Kendal College’s Lakes Hotel School