Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

Rudi Finkler

No problem at all Rudi. My question, "Which wines stand out for you?" was in reference to 2001. As that was not a vintage heralded by critics or commentators as a "vintage of the century," I wondered if it was a typo. But more importantly since it wasn't a typo, the lack of crit...

Rudi Finkler

Bill's question is: "what are the three greatest vintages in your opinion based on experience"... and after forty years of experience my answer is: 1985, 1990, 2001. What's your problem with it, David?

Rudi Finkler

Not in a particular order:

1985
1990
2001

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the interesting note, Nic! What can you say about the anticipated maturity?

Rudi Finkler

Dark fruits on the nose, black cherry and cassis fruit, spices, and lots of toasted oak on the palate, and a surprisingly long spicy, leathery finish. Unfortunately, the oak is not well integrated and I doubt if it ever will be. Nevertheless, this Classified Growth from Saint-Emilion is not all too ...

Rudi Finkler

There are many different "Les Parcelles de Stéphane Derenoncourt": Bordeaux, Haut-Médoc, Blaye, Margaux, Saint-Emilion, whatever. What wine are you talking about?

Rudi Finkler

I am sorry to say this, Alex, but for me, the 2008 Berliquet has nothing to offer. It lacks balance, it lacks elegance, it lacks depth and finesse. The nose is as diffuse as the sticky fruit on the palate, and the uninspiring finish is short. I'm too old for such modern crap. ;) BTW, as far as I kno...

Rudi Finkler

Leathery, liquid confiture made from very ripe dark fruits, with little precision, elegance and finesse. The oak is reasonably integrated, and the alcohol, 13,5 %, is just bearable for me, but the obtrusive fruit sticks to the palate as persistent as a bonbon. Hardly any minerality. Horrible. What a...

Rudi Finkler

Maybe bottle variation or very low level TCA. The last bottle I had was excellent two years ago or so...

Rudi Finkler

In short, this bottle is a disappointment. A little bit fruit on the nose, sour cherry and unpolished tannins on the palate, and a short, leathery finish. Certainly not worth the price. No TCA detectable. I've had better bottles in the past years.

Rudi Finkler

For me, with its splendid minerality and elegance, Léoville Barton is a bulwark against the modern Bordeaux madness and since about three decades a safe bank especially in "weaker" vintages. I remember well that I bought cases and cases of their delicious 1987. 23 Mark/bottle at that time....

Rudi Finkler

Open and decanted for two hours last night. This stunning wine offers lots of finesse and complexity, as well as extraordinary purity,and classic minerality along with super delicate fruit. Even violets on the nose, leather on the palate, and a hint of coffee and dark chocolate on the lingering mine...

Rudi Finkler

Guys, when I was seventeen, I realized with horror that there is no social justice in this world... and unfortunately, never will be. So what to do? The only way to die in innocence would be to commit suicide... I decided to continue living my life and to do my best not to become a pig in this world...

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the nice report, Alex! Since decades, Roc de Combes, resp. Domaine de Cambes, is my favourite wine from this widely underrated appellation. They consistently produce wines in troisième or even deuxième Grand Cru Classé quality...

Rudi Finkler

Now I finally understand the ownership of La Tour du Pin Figeac.

Really nice notes. Thank you Alex!

Rudi Finkler

Guys, neither the northern Médoc nor Lafite is in a slump, the 100 point scale is in a slump....

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the interesting note, Nic! How is it with the alcohol content?
I had a wonderful 2001 a few month ago. BTW, as far as I know, Michel Rolland’s wife Dany is responsible for Fontenil...

Rudi Finkler

I generally try to avoid this hot, unbalanced vintage, but there are noticeable exceptions, as always. I had outstanding bottles of Haut-Batailley -maybe the best vintage from this elegant and gentle Pauillac in decades, as well as classically styled, super elegant bottles of Ferrière, and an overwh...

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the interesting note, Alex. I remember an excellent 1985 Duplessis-Hochecorne, my only experience with Chateau Duplessis.

Rudi Finkler

Before 2000, Du Tertre was a delicious, more light-weight Margaux for early consumption. Even their 1997 was a joy.
Today's wines from this producer are not so very much my cup of tea. Too intrusive for an incurable Bordeaux traditionalist like me.

Rudi Finkler

Some good wines indeed, but the only Listrac that ever really impressed me was Fleur de Rose Sainte-Croix. The 2000 was outstanding as well as the 2001.

Rudi Finkler

Indeed, that's astonishing, AKR. But it is not the first time that I had several corked bottles in a row in the past four decades. In most cases a symptom of serious cork problems of the producer.BTW, the record so far is six bottles of 1986 Potensac… Have three bottles of Beaulieu left which I will...

Rudi Finkler

I bought 12 bottles of 2005 Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes shortly after release. In its youth, this wine was absolutely superb. Fife, six years later, it was so closed that it was painful to think of the potential it clearly has. Last week, I opened three bottles of this generic Bordeaux. Horribly corke...

Rudi Finkler

depends on the amount of vino...

Rudi Finkler

As Alex said, there is no reason to let them sleep any longer. In 2000 and 2001, I received a 33% discount on all 1997 Bordeaux wines from my local retailer here in Saarland. I bought almost all classified growths and the best crus bourgeois. Lots of charming wines, e few even outstanding like Las C...

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the wonderful notes, Izak!
After almost four decades of enjoying fine Bordeaux, for me, 1985 remains the most charming vintage of all, 1990 the most enjoyable, and 2001 the most sophisticated...

Rudi Finkler

A half case of 2004 Haut-Bages Libéral for € 29,90/bottle. Fortunately, this impressive wine is still a classic Pauillac and in terms of quality not far behind the neighbouring Château Lynch-Bages. Seems to be underrated by many "experts".

Rudi Finkler

The best Pibran I can remember was a superb 1989. Easily the equivalent of a third growth or so. I liked this uncompromising elegant wine so much that I tried to snatch a few cases of this nectar - unfortunately without success.

Rudi Finkler

For me, Batailley is the most perplexing classified growth. When young, it's often somewhat harsh and uninspiring - as Stefan said, it is never very good young. But with at least 10-15 years, Batailley can be a stunning, savory, unconventional Pauillac. Almost always excellent, sometimes outstanding...

Rudi Finkler

The more Red Bordeaux I drink from 2008, the more I become a fan of this vintage. Unobtrusive, delicate, and elegant wines, occasionally with a tolerable hint of modern madness... at least what I have drunk in recent months.... an opulent Chateau Laroque, a sophisticated Cadet-Piola, a delicious, &q...

Rudi Finkler

This undoubtedly is one of the finest 2008 I had in recent times. An exceptionally well-balanced wine, almost perfect in every respect. Complex, fascinating nose, opulent and refined on the palate, and an everlasting super-elegant finish. No signs of modern jammy fruit or alcoholic heat. I wish I ha...

Rudi Finkler

I'm not as strict as you, Jim.

If quality and price are right, I don't care whether it is a vin de garde or a second wine. BTW, fortunately, the quality of many second wines has increased dramatically in the last decade...

Rudi Finkler

What Stefan said. Ducru and Comtesse.

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the tip! If I remember correctly, I recently saw 2009 or 2010 Rochemorin in the wine department of our local supermarket...

Rudi Finkler

Thanks for the nice notes, David. Already some years ago, I lost interest in the wines of château Les Grands Chênes - to modern to me. But it is quite possible that I still have a few bottles of the 2005 in my cellar. BTW, their 2001 Cuvée Prestige was one of the fines AC Médoc wines I ever had.

Rudi Finkler

Not quite as impressive as the 2000 d'Armailhac we had a few month ago, but a highly satisfying, luscious Pauillac, not far away from its peak. As the wine sits in the glass, spicy oak, pepper, licorice, cedar wood, and spices emerge, and even aromas of chocolate. The finish is surprisingly persiste...

Rudi Finkler

As for the wine of the year, no question, my personal favourite is 2008 La Fleur de Gay, closely followed by 1999 Cheval Blanc, and 2004 Pape Clément.

Rudi Finkler

Indeed, the 2001 Certan de May is certainly a very good buy. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find a bottle of this splendid neighbour of Pétrus here in our region. But at least I have bought a half case of 2008 Cadet-Piola at a very good price today afternoon, €18,60 a bottle, and a few bot...

Rudi Finkler

At times, I drank Pavillon Blanc, Haut-Brion Blanc, and Fieuzal Blanc in earlier days. But since more than two decades, I'm obsessed with German Weissburgunder. Sauvignon Blanc doesn't appeal to me very much... A little personal anecdote concerning Haut-Brion Blanc springs to mind: Shortly before Ch...

Rudi Finkler

In the eighties and nineties, I occasionally tasted wines from this small Grand Cru Classé and, except of the 1990, I was regularly disappointed. I have forgotten why, but a few years ago, I bought a few bottles of this formidable 2006. Surely I will purchase a few more bottles from 2006 and other v...

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