Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

DavidG

Depends on if it's a root day, flower day, etc., no? Or is that only at the biodynamic Chateaux?

DavidG

It depends on who you are writing TNs for, Alex. In a TN written for myself, it matters not if I use some term that is meaningless to others. But if I'm a critic, using a term that means different things to different people is indeed useless unless there is further explanation. And while Potter Stew...

DavidG

Jim, you have a gift for writing. I've really enjoyed this series of posts.

Funny that two of the most inspiring of the 2005 visits, Lynch and Margaux, were among the least inspiring of this trip. It really is all about the people.

DavidG

2011 Yquem - Rated 94 by Neal Martin with the following notes: Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The Château Yquem 2011 has a complex bouquet, one that is very well defined with hints of petrol infusing the rich honeyed fruit, later melted wax and fresh peach coming through. The...

DavidG

Yes, the du Tertre was a dark horse at one of our NYC BWE gatherings to taste a bunch of 2000s before their time - pretty close after release if I recall. Its performance propelled it all the way to co-WOTY. Another case where BWE saw the magic before it was apparent elsewhere?

DavidG

DavidG

What the heck does that mean? It's such a pure example of a Pessac Merlot/Cab blend that the nose makes you think Cotes de Nuits Pinot Noir? Huh??? Not sure I would blame the word as much as the person who used it. But I can still support your nomination as "purity" is almost always interp...

DavidG

Jim - Wine Searcher shows 2012 du Tertre all over the place. Total Wine has it at $40 in almost every state in the Union except Maine. A few places are showing at $37-$39.

If you don't have Wine Searcher Pro, you really should...

DavidG

My 2012 picks were mostly Pessac-Leognan that looked to be approachable young. Smith Haut Lafitte was one, also Pape Clement and Malartic Lagraviere. You guys are tempting me re: Pontet Canet and LLC, but I fear I'll be OTH before they're mature.

DavidG

Great review Ian. Lots of good info packed into that report.

DavidG

Excellent report, Nic. Margaux also makes their own barrels. At least they did when we visited in 2005.

DavidG

It looks like you were all having a great time.

Safe travels home everyone.

DavidG

Nic, I am thoroughly enjoying your reports on the visits. Thank you for taking the time to write them up and post them.

DavidG

I am loving these videos! Great to see the gang in action!

I know you didn't taste it during this visit, but how is the 2009 La Lagune and how does it compare with the 2010 and 2012?

DavidG

Well done Nic! Thank you.

DavidG

RG - those are the empties. The full bottles are elsewhere. Either Jim's phone died before he could get pictures of the full bottles, or the contents of Francois' cellar is a matter of national security.

DavidG

And they're off! Wish I were there with you. Love seeing the pictures. Looking forward to some TNs when you have time to catch up.

DavidG

Send my regards to Francois and to the rest of the gang.

Just don't serve any of this stuff:

: crappywine.jpg (91.75 KiB) Viewed 1492 times

DavidG

That was a fun interview with Francois. Looks like he's lost some weight. So those were pics of the empties. What did the cellar with the full bottles look like? Does he still have cellars in various different cities? I had 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle once. It was a great bottle but not in my top 5. ...

DavidG

It takes time to make convincing counterfeits of top 2009 Bordeaux, especially mags.

DavidG

Arv's explanation seems like the only logical one.. ...but... ...but... ...but... How do they keep making the right bets year after year after year? I know they don't have to be right all of the time, just enough to stay solvent. But they kept their heads above water while fulfilling 2005 Bordeaux o...

DavidG

Bon voyages! Wish I were going with you.

DavidG

I'll defer to the lawyers here, but Michael I'm not sure that you'd be successful in a suit if PC offers to give you back the money you spent in lieu of the wine. Proving damages due to lost opportunity on wine futures purchases sounds good on the internet but I'm skeptical of its likelihood of succ...

DavidG

I agree Patrick. Amazing that there's been no insider info on what they actually do. If there's something nefarious going on it's got to be the best kept secret since the Manhattan Project. Maybe it's a cult...

DavidG

My experience and outlook are almost identical to Patrick's. My biggest worry was for 2005s that spiked in price after I ordered them, concurrent with the financial crisis. I've never been shorted, but I've become less tolerant of the wait. Plus all the cries of "scam" are probably weighin...

DavidG

No one calling PC's business practices illegal has any evidence other than the length of time it takes to get the wine and speculation. Almost everything gets delivered eventually. My impression from following the PC threads on different boards is that you may be at higher risk with mags. But if you...

DavidG

Patrick, a significant number of my PC steals are no longer recoverable. Jay, I didn't hear MichaelP say he'd had trouble obtaining or that he'd even asked for a refund, but that he wanted the darn wine. If it did come to a credit card dispute, I've heard stories covering a wide range of responses f...

DavidG

I would give this a spin but don't see it available anywhere around here.

DavidG

So a quick read of the link to the California law and the PC website, which does say "pre-arrivals are wines we have purchased" does raise the question of deception if they really haven't purchased the wines. I suppose a slick DC lawyer could have some fun with the meaning of "purchas...

DavidG

I hear you Jim. I honestly don't know if what they are doing would be considered illegal and they just haven't been caught because they haven't defaulted enough to have complaints. Or if, as I am inclined to believe, they are above-board with an unusual business model that's at greater risk for fail...

DavidG

I'll add that I no longer buy pre-arrivals from PC, though it's more out of impatience and having passed the log growth wine accumulation phase than out of fear that I'll be stiffed. There have been some very tempting deals lately for those with patience and nerves.

DavidG

Arv, what you write seems to makes sense, but how could they sustain the practice you describe as long as they have and through a major recession without defaulting? Jim, the difference between PC and Rare is that, year after year, PC delivers. Eventually. Or gives your money back. Is it illegal to ...

DavidG

I got my last 2005s from PC last year. It's only been 5 years since you ordered, and 2 years past the time that most retailers delivered EP purchases. If the wines were in high demand, I figure you'll see them in another 2-3 years. Maybe less. What do they say when you call them? Not that you'll get...

DavidG

I swore that I wouldn't buy any 2010s. Then I swore that the 2010s I bought would be my last. It was easy to skip the 2011s. With some enthusiastic reports from Parker and Leve, it was back to swearing that I wouldn't buy any 2012s. Then I was inspired by Father Stefan. So today I bought the followi...

DavidG

I can see the Sociando green/Loire Cab Franc connection.

DavidG

I agree. The Burgundy glasses most seem to like are too big for me. I like the Zalto Bordeaux glass for Burgs and the Zalto Univeersal glass for just about everything else.

DavidG

I've long enjoyed Jeff's enthusiastic tell-it-like-it-is reviews. His site has just gone from strength to strength over the years. He's definitely got a more Parkeresque than an AFWE palate, but he's his own man. Plus he's a genuinely nice guy in person and a generous host. Another trait he shares w...

DavidG

Love the detailed reports. Well done as usual. It will take some time to read through them. But only 400?

DavidG

I'm with you, Art. Plus je vieillis , le plus laissez-faire je deviens.

DavidG

That's a serious training regimen! I'd want Ian on my team for the Bordeaux Winelympics.

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