For many people, Bordeaux is the gateway to the wider world of wine. Often, after a few bottles of fine Bordeaux there’s no going back. Great Bordeaux wines create and carry memories for a lifetime.

But odd as it may seem, Bordeaux is often still an overlooked gem at the $30 price point. The spotlight is invariably cast upon those majestic chateaux in the most famous appellations, leaving the lesser-known areas under the consumer radar.

There are many good reasons to track down Bordeaux for value. It is one of the most circulated wines in the world, so consumers and wine merchants have a vast choice. And as the quality keeps rising, this already busy, highly competitive region has no time for under-performers.

While the vintage plays a big role in Bordeaux thanks to the unstable maritime climate, chances are you will be surprised by the high quality from some of the less-known appellations in incredible years like 2016, a great vintage especially for red wine. It followed another stunning vintage in 2015, but shows greater homogeneous quality across the board.

This means with 2016 you can delve deep into Bordeaux and give some attention to places outside of the familiar names of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, St.-Emilion and Pomerol. (Also read James Suckling’s report on 2016 BORDEAUX: A VINTAGE FOR TODAY’S BORDEAUX WINE LOVERS)

We know that Bordeaux keeps well. It can tend to close up a little in the first few years after release, shying away from generosity, especially for the cabernet-led blends in cooler, wetter vintages, but this is less the case for merlot.

For $30 or less, we have selected eight excellent merlot-based bottles from 2016, to enjoy now or in the next three to 10 years. These wines are from Fronsac and Cotes de Bordeaux, both somewhat neglected destinations but great for quality and value. The Cotes de Bordeaux name recently underwent a rebranding, and now includes the appellations of Castillon, Francs, Blaye and Cadillac. It does not include the appellation of Cotes de Bourg, but don’t underestimate this lone wolf.

Below are eight excellent bottles from Fronsac and Cotes de Bordeaux. Look for clarity, concentration, firm yet polished tannin and a classy, lustrous fruit allure from the Right Bank. I hope these wines bring joy to any keen-eyed Bordeaux lover.

8 great Bordeaux 2016 merlot wines

Château Montlandrie Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2016 – JS94
Available at JJBuckley : $23.94

Château Puygueraud Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2016 – JS94
Available at K&L Wine : $19.99

Château Marsau Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2016 – JS94
Available at Wegman  and Fine+Rare: $19.99

Château Dalem Fronsac 2016 – JS94
Available at K&LWine : $24.99

Château de la Dauphine Fronsac 2016 – JS93
US Average Price : $26

Château Fontenil Fronsac 2016 – JS93
Available at Fine+Rare : $31

Clos du Roy Fronsac 2016 – JS92 
Available at Wine.com : $19.99

Château d’Aiguilhe Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2016 – JS92
Available at K&L Wine : $29.99

– Zekun Shuai, associate editor in Beijing