Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

DavidG

The Baltimore/Washington chapter of BWE, represented by Jay & Peggy Winton, Chris Bublitz, Peggy and me, met at Ripple in DC to send Tom and Gail off on their next big adventure to Denver. We've been good buddies for a few decades and we're really going to miss them when they hit the road on Sat...

DavidG

Ian, the Farr vintage write-ups have always been interesting, well-written and often more grounded in reality than some of the presumably less-conflicted critics'. Thanks for posting that. I think its madness that agricultural producers are withholding stocks, under the theory that they are entitled...

DavidG

Thanks, Ian. Interesting comment about 2000 being most over-rated, Alex. I'm liking mine just fine, but I can't recall the hype ever being as intense as for the 2000s, between Parker, the other critics and the added Y2K buzz. Short of inducing nirvana, it would be hard to live up to that level of pr...

DavidG

Very nice reports here and on the other 2016s Alex. What vintage is Latour currently offering for sale? I'm curious how long they keep them, and if that decision is based on how long they think they need to age (in which case maybe they haven't released any yet) or if the timing is primarily financi...

DavidG

I'm 138 days into my freeze, with no plans to buy 2016 Bordeaux. But It's about that time of year for the Bordeaux futures machine to get revved up. Here are Elin McCoy's top 18 wines, top 10 values, and 4 to avoid.

DavidG

Hard to disagree with any on your list, Ian. But I would find a spot for 1990 Margaux.

DavidG

My recollection matches Stu's.

DavidG

It's been 134 days since my last (non-restaurant) wine purchase.

DavidG

I generally prefers Zins in their youth. Drank a lot of them while waiting for my early-80s Bordeaux to mature. Sure Geyserville ages and gains some nuance and complexity but like Jim I'm not sure I like it better that way. And it may somewhat resemble but doesn't really turn into Bordeaux or aged C...

DavidG

Well said, Stuart.

DavidG

$25 is a fantastic price, but it's no bargain if you don't like it.

DavidG

Fun read, jc. I remember that bottle of 2001 Pape Clement, Jim. It was just released and while noticeably oaky it was also fresh and crisp. No excessive sweet/overripe or flabby characteristics at that time. Haven't had it since. I bought a half case of the 2012 based on BWEnabling enthusiasm for th...

DavidG

I don't feel a need to drink "just OK" wines to appreciate the good stuff. But I won't turn my nose up at a good wine that doesn't reach the Wow level. If that's what's available, plenty of enjoyment to be found in the 85-pointers. I agree with Arv about blind tasting but most of my wine d...

DavidG

You both have a good point. I rarely use points. Excellent or outstanding are my markers for wow and holy cow wow wines. Like Jim, I'd rather drink wow wines, and for the reasons he gave. Not to put too sharp a point on it, but I should point out that without understanding another's rating system, t...

DavidG

2001 Yquem was freaking awesome 4 months ago and 2001 Fargues was kicking a$$ 2 weeks ago.

DavidG

JimHow wrote:
Here it hit 88F today. Time to move south, Jimbo.
I'd like to find some property in Florida that I could go down to in the winter....
jesus Christ, I sound like an old fogie.

Peggy and I are learning to embrace our fogieness. Planning to spend next February in Sarasota.

DavidG

Fun read. I do like Martin's writing more than any of the current or former WA staff, including Parker and Galloni. He tells a good story. Thanks for posting, it's been a bit over a year since I let my subscription lapse.

DavidG

My typical buy for a wine to cellar is 6-12 bottles. I'm more interested in diversity than depth. Owning 24 or more bottles of the same wine would limit that. The single exception was 2 cases and 2 mags of 1989 Lynch Bages, the wine that inspired Jim to found BWE, that I bought on release.

DavidG

Peggy and I go through about 2 bottles a week. Sometimes none, sometimes 3-4. A bottle usually lasts us 2 days. Sometimes 3 if she's not drinking.

DavidG

Nice pic and nice note! My first experience with Clos Fourtet was in 2005 and I'm a fan. It satisfies that need for a ripe rich right banker.

DavidG

So many great wines. Loving the reports. Sounds like you are having a great time. We opened a 1989 La Tour Blanche Sauternes Thursday night in sympathy with your theme and it was outstanding over 2 nights. Looking forward to the Friday and Saturday night dinner reports, and of course the extracurric...

DavidG

Jimmy LB How must have been jet-lagged. I can't imagine such a result if the master manipulator had been in full voice.

My bottles of 1989 Lynch, cellared since release, have often seemed young, requiring hours or even the next day to really blossom.

DavidG

Feeling a bit envious already. I'm sure that will increase when the reports start coming in. Looks like a good start at Ed's Wednesday night.
Have a great time!

DavidG

Sounds like yer Fixin' to do some mighty fine drinkin' over the next coupla days, pardner.

DavidG

A perennial favorite Côtes du Rhône here too. I agree with Nic and Jon.

DavidG

From an iPad, clicking "Choose File" in the "Upload Attachment " tab lets you choose between taking a photo, picking a photo stored on the iPad, or choosing a photo stored in your iCloud Drive.

DavidG

"Rimmerman sent this on the 2016's last night. He doesn't have any to sell."

Maybe not today...

DavidG

I'm rarely disappointed by a first growth. For the most part they do deserve their reputations. I've had disappointments, though more often due to drinking them too young - 82 and 86 Mouton and 82 Haut Brion come to mind. Kicked myself for not listening to others and expecting I'd be able to apprec...

DavidG

>> First growths have a target on their backs for biggest disappointments because expectations are so high. >> I have more often been disappointed by the fancier Grand Cru Burgundies than by first growth Bordeaux. Not surprised by this. I don't play in that sandbox in part because of this.

DavidG

I'll take a hedonistic evaluation over a forensic one any day, Ian. First growths have a target on their backs for biggest disappointments because expectations are so high. I like 88 Haut Brion more than you do, but it's always my favorite first when it's on. Still have some of that and the other fi...

DavidG

Ian thanks for this input on 1988 Margaux. We have a few bottles and were planning to open one for our 30th anniversary next year. Might just let it rest and go with the Haut Brion. I cant think of a major Bdx disappointment in recent years outside of the occasional corked bottle. A year ago I opene...

DavidG

Happy birthday Stuart and thanks for the fine report.

DavidG

I have both a Wine Check and a Wine Cruzer. Like them both. I use the Wine Check when I need to carry more than 6 bottles. The Wine Cruzer model I have can fit a Champagne bottle and a magnum but maxes out at 6 bottles total.

DavidG

The Wine Check Patrick mentions is an inexpensive and efficient solution. It wraps around a 12-bottle styro shipper and has wheels and a pull handle. More ergonomic, more sturdy, and much more expensive are Stefan's carrier (I don't recall the brand) and the Wine Cruzer, which I own: http://www.wine...

DavidG

A copy of my post over on WB: Very sad to hear this awful news. I'll never forget him or his genuine enthusiasm for people. I was also at that OL at Steve Levy's and the pictures really capture his personality. I knew Ron from the early days of the internet and the Prodigy wine board. He was either ...

DavidG

I agree that there's a huge quality/complexity difference between Langoa and a Leoville Barton. Especially after 10+ years of aging.

DavidG

Who gave Donald Trump Jim's BWE login info?

DavidG

<fingers in ears eyes shut tight> LALALALALALALA! NONONONONONONO! </fingers in ears eyes shut tight>

What's that noise? Something about buying young Bordeaux? Nah, must've been a squirrel on the roof. Next thread...

DavidG

I liked the article. Thought it was extremely positive about the vintage with the exception, as Ian noted, of some of the heavily extracted St Ems. I'll How a wine now and then, especially if prodded by our BD. Generally, my maturity preferences tend to parallel Patrick's and those of the group that...

DavidG

Unless you're a baller.

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