Search found 5923 matches

by Blanquito
Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:57 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

3 bottles of the 1975 Sterling Reserve Cabernet
by Blanquito
Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:49 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Cost per point as a buying strategy???
Replies: 26
Views: 1920

Re: Cost per point as a buying strategy???

By this basis, Dunnuck and Suckling have done more to improve the QPR of wine the world over than any enologist in history.
by Blanquito
Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:06 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Pie Day & Peby Faugeres
Replies: 7
Views: 382

Re: Pie Day & Peby Faugeres

Didn’t we have the 99 Peby with Ramon and Dale at that St Emilion offline in 2007 on the East Side, Arv? I enjoyed that one a lot at the time. I snagged 3 bottles of the 99 at auction last year and I enjoyed the first bottle. Definitely ripe and very ready to go, but nothing over the top. Great food...
by Blanquito
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:51 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: DC BWE mini get together!
Replies: 25
Views: 1033

Re: DC BWE mini get together!

Well done guys that was an act of heroism keeping the BWE flame burning in the pandemic and as the mercury dipped into the 40s. Its amazing how the price of 2000 Lynch has soared. It is following in the hallowed footsteps of the 1989, glad your bottle showed well. I have done a 360 on Lynch. In 201...
by Blanquito
Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:56 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: DC BWE mini get together!
Replies: 25
Views: 1033

Re: DC BWE mini get together!

marcs wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:52 pm
... we literally shut the place down!
Now that sounds like a true BWE night!
by Blanquito
Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:41 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

3 bottles of the 1978 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge for $79/per
by Blanquito
Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:55 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 2003 Malescot
Replies: 22
Views: 914

Re: 2003 Malescot

I recall a wise soul on BWE once saying, “drink traditional wines in big years and modern wines in leaner ones”. This applies to Malescot for me, as I a fan of the 04 but not the 05 (I’ve not had the 03, having offloaded most of my wines from that vintage).
by Blanquito
Sat Mar 13, 2021 5:53 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What are we drinking in the Omicron ominous?
Replies: 1979
Views: 189992

Re: What are we drinking in lockdown?

Had a 2014 Malartic Lagraviere double-blind recently at a dinner... this showed terribly, guesses were all centered on modern Napa cab as this was gooey, oaky, boozy and glossy all at once. All four of us had the same reaction, and were shocked on the reveal (the person who brought it was equally sh...
by Blanquito
Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:41 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What are we drinking in the Omicron ominous?
Replies: 1979
Views: 189992

Re: What are we drinking in lockdown?

A couple of oldies, but goodies... The 1986 Meyney showed wonderfully, a fresher bottle than some have been with a fill into the neck. Wonderful and complex. 93 pts. The 1990 Louviere Rouge also was on form, not quite at the level of the Meyney, but still fresh and fruity, a very good bottle. 91-92 ...
by Blanquito
Sun Mar 07, 2021 2:33 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?
Replies: 47
Views: 3334

Re: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?

Interesting, David. Palate preferences and all that. While l love 1990 Bordeaux, I strongly prefer many of my personal favorite chateau in 85 > 90. Off the top of my head, here are some important wines (to me) where I prefer the 85 to 90: Beychevelle Canon Magdelaine Pichon Lalande La Lagune Canteme...
by Blanquito
Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:58 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?
Replies: 47
Views: 3334

Re: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?

Nice inferences, Joel. Here’s my breakdown. First, I’d rank the vintages for these two five year runs like this: 82 > 85 > 86 = 83 > 84; 89 > 90 > 86 > 88 > 87. Then head to head: 82 > 89 85 = 90 86 = 86 83 > 88 84 vs 87 (nobody cares, but 87 is probably better regarded overall) By my head to head b...
by Blanquito
Fri Mar 05, 2021 7:06 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?
Replies: 47
Views: 3334

Re: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?

Man, 81 gets no respect! I love 88 but I liked some 81 Bordeaux so much more than their 88 counterparts. Gilman is a big fan of the 81s, especially on the right bank which he says started picking before some major late season rain really got underway. For my part, I just haven’t had many 81s. The 1...
by Blanquito
Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?
Replies: 47
Views: 3334

Re: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?

For 82-86 vs 86-90, I like 82 better than 89 or 90, they both include 86, so it kinda comes to 83/85 vs 88/90. In my experience, I take 83/85 over 88/90 on balance. Of course, the 83/85 are now getting long in the tooth and it’s hard not to hold that against them now even if only subconsciously, but...
by Blanquito
Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:55 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?
Replies: 47
Views: 3334

Re: What is the best 3 year run, and what is the best 5 year run?

Top 5 year run: 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 (just edging out 85-90)
Top 3: 88-90
by Blanquito
Thu Mar 04, 2021 7:33 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 1981 Cos d"Estournel. Wow!
Replies: 41
Views: 1720

Re: 1981 Cos d"Estournel. Wow!

As the unofficial patron saint of 83 Bordeaux, I love threads like this. I might be tempted to add “shhhhh”, but I’ve been pounding the table about the 83s for years and the prices have hardly budged.
by Blanquito
Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:12 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: BWE France 2022?
Replies: 20
Views: 1122

Re: BWE France 2022?

I’d love to come if possible, but I’m almost always unavailable to travel from approximately March 30 through June 10. I know that’s a pretty prime window to travel, so I understand if BWE needs to go then and I’ll live vicariously through the posts and photos.
by Blanquito
Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:39 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 1981 Cos d"Estournel. Wow!
Replies: 41
Views: 1720

Re: 1981 Cos d"Estournel. Wow!

Cos in the 80s, hey? The bottles can be so variable. I have attended several Cos verticals from that era over the years where different vintages won as a result of bottle variability which left me confused and none the wiser about which 80s vintage of Cos (81-90) was the boss? The 1982? The 1983? T...
by Blanquito
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:49 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 1981 Cos d"Estournel. Wow!
Replies: 41
Views: 1720

Re: 1981 Cos d"Estournel. Wow!

Sounds wonderful. I also just had the 83 Cos, which I really enjoyed.
by Blanquito
Tue Mar 02, 2021 5:57 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....
Replies: 26
Views: 985

Re: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....

Ok, I popped a half bottle of the 2009 Gazin last night to help decide... Jim’s note captures the wine well, especially the ample and fairly hard tannins. But I got glimpses of some nice fruit and I didn’t find the alcohol excessive compared to some other 09 Right Bankers. Based on this showing, I d...
by Blanquito
Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:41 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....
Replies: 26
Views: 985

Re: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....

So Jim, if holding any 2009 Gazin (and 2010, in my case), would you recommend dumping these (assuming (a) someone already has too much wine/plenty of wine, (b) has an easy and ready means to sell, and (c) would at least get their money back)? I know you don't/haven't sold wine, but I have some wine ...
by Blanquito
Mon Mar 01, 2021 1:44 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....
Replies: 26
Views: 985

Re: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....

Musigny 151 wrote: Mon Mar 01, 2021 12:57 amIf it all shows is oak and fruit and you are hit with a separated plank of alcohol...
This sounds like a working definition of Parker’s wine nirvana.
by Blanquito
Sat Feb 27, 2021 4:48 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....
Replies: 26
Views: 985

Re: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....

This doesn’t sound good.
by Blanquito
Sat Feb 27, 2021 12:36 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....
Replies: 26
Views: 985

Re: The 2009 Gazin has been uncorked....

Ooh, do tell. I have 6 of those. My guess it is in it’s too early for the Blanquito palate, putting it squarely in the prime How drinking window.
by Blanquito
Fri Feb 26, 2021 11:57 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

The real estate market makes the wine auction market seem sane and staid.
by Blanquito
Fri Feb 26, 2021 4:58 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

I did pretty well in my 09 futures shopping, with a case of GPL, Beychevelle, Lanessan (best ever at this address IMHO), a case and a half of Magdelaine, and half cases of Calon Segur, St Pierre, Domaine de Chevalier rouge, Leoville Barton, Gazin, Lagune, Gloria, d’Armailhac, and Cantemerle.
by Blanquito
Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:50 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

I hereby raise my glass to Brunelleschi.
by Blanquito
Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:38 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

My issue with the 09s early on was the boozy heat, but that seems to have integrated really nicely in the intervening years. I’ve become quite high on 2009, like many here.
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:51 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

You know, I find it psychologically much easier to enjoy QPR wines than trophy bottles, in part because a trophy wine in my house is usually quite mature or even old, and the hit rate with old bottles is problematic. I’ve come to accept this and that’s why I have a new found focus on wines less than...
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:31 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

I loaded up on 95, 96 and 00 P-C not all that long ago, for $65-$85. Those are rational prices.
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:29 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

Hey, I’m down to 2350 bottles! There are bottles I’d happily spend $162 on, but I’ve never met a P-C I’d spent even $100 on.

I bought a lot of half bottles on future per the same logic, but I’ve found that 375 ml really isn’t a useful size — 500 ml would be better.
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:45 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

Yeah, I saw some 2000 Pontet Canet go for $162/each all-in recently (I’m not a buyer at the price):
https://m.klwines.com/Auction/BidDetail/1523326
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:41 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

Aside from all the recent buzz on this wine — https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/vi ... c1bc6bb35a — a wine named Frog’s Leap seemed like a safe choice for a lover of French wine!
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:34 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

If the outlier is the Ridge Estate Chardonnay, I am fan in general so I thought I’d give a more recent vintage a whirl. I had the 2012 version recently and it was great in a somewhat richer, oaky style than I often prefer.
by Blanquito
Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:32 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4870
Views: 1548576

Re: So what have you bought lately?

With dreams of spring in the air, I gathered a plethora of Blanc, mostly from Pouilly Fuisse that Gilman is high on and a couple of reds to try ITNOS. I haven’t tried most of these before, so this will be extra fun: -1 x Pierre Péters Cuvée de Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne NV -1 x 2017 Loui...
by Blanquito
Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:59 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

Good points, Stu. Most of my issue is I used to get deals, often fantastic deals, regularly at WineBid. Maybe I was spoiled, but those days are long gone and now most of the time I find the all-in prices ridiculously high. And I did have a bad run of ‘dull’ bottles sourced from WineBid. K&L can ...
by Blanquito
Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:49 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

JimHow wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 1:19 am If I were to sell my cellar, I wonder what is the best option.
Tom did this, to a degree, not long ago and went with Zachys. Did you shop around for the best arrangement, Tom?
by Blanquito
Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:54 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What are we drinking in the Omicron ominous?
Replies: 1979
Views: 189992

Re: What are we drinking in lockdown?

1998 Pichon Baron Serious juice here from a chronically underrated vintage (but which happily keeps prices reasonable for claret with 20+ years of maturity)... In a really good spot right now, but loads of runway left. Classic claret showing nice complexity, elegance and pitch-perfect balance. Delic...
by Blanquito
Mon Feb 22, 2021 1:05 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

I do agree of course that, to a degree, provenance on older wines is a crap shoot everywhere. Setting aside the issue of counterfeits, you can get a badly stored bottle from any retailer or auction house, even for bottles which look great by outward appearances. But that said, some auction houses (l...
by Blanquito
Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:12 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: A hard, thin, lifeless 2002 Palmer.
Replies: 18
Views: 862

Re: A hard, thin, lifeless 2002 Palmer.

Thread drift, but is the 2019 Palmer at ~$200 a must-buy, never-to-be-seen-again futures pricing for this chateau? Like everything else these days, the critics are quite high on 2019 in general and Palmer specifically, but I haven’t really paid attention to the vintage’s style and quality.
by Blanquito
Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:03 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Completely nutso auction price
Replies: 88
Views: 6049

Re: Completely nutso auction price

Also, why anyone patronizes placed like HDH and Sotheby’s at high end (so pricey as Marcus details) and Acker and Spectrum at the low end (sketchy provenance) is mystifying to me. Maybe it’s habit, but there are a (admittedly dwindling) few better alternatives which strike the balance between proven...