I have read a lot of comment on the 1985 Bordeaux vintage over the last 10-15 years on this board and others, and I have taken note of many Bordeaux lovers' assessment of some of the top wines. Some of us label the vintage as "simple" or "light" but not "bad" and leave ...

"St. Julien's answer for Lafite" Yes, well said. For some reason there was a lot of this wine around the Twin Cities on release and well after for a good price ($30?), and I've had this wine perhaps ten times -- early ('95) when it was still surprisingly closed, and quite recently when I'v...

Jim -- In my experience (and my wife Lucy's) Macs are far superior to PCs -- probably why they cost more. They're more stable, more reliable, and you don't have to worry much about viruses. Good luck.

--Gary Rust

I've not had the '78 La Mission, but a few weeks ago Chris Bublitz provide me and several other Twin Cities winos with several 78s at a lovely lamb dinner. Nothing was decanted in advance. We had Domaine Chevalier, Lascombes, Ducru, Pichon Lalande, Haut Brion and Margaux. Sadly, the Haut Brion was o...

In regards to the 2010 Chicago BWE event, thanks for the reminder and invite. Chris Bublitz (Winona Chief) has also reminded me of my close proximity to the Chicago event (I'm in Minneapolis, MN) and encouraged me to attend. I'd love to attend and will certainly try. In the meantime, I'll continue m...

Not decanted. Opened and left in glass 1/2 hr before drinking. Classic nose of mint and smoke; in the mouth is vigorous cherry fruit with other maturing complex flavors of currants/plums and a slightly drying tannic edge. I was very happy with this wine -- 90 pts seems fair. It is good now, but shou...

I've had 5 bottles of this over the last year and I'm not disappointed. Nose of red fruit and herbs --the typical bright St. Julien fruit -- good balance if a bit light, and some complexity has developed. I think this will not get better, and within a short period of time might dry out, so I'd drink...

For what it's worth -- All of my 2001 mid-level white Graves have been very good so far (carbonnieux, latour martillac, haut bergey, others) with no sign of premox. Of course white graves may well have a problem anyway, but I've also done as many of you have -- not bought white burgs, or at least no...

I've found some good 1999 Bordeaux that are just now in their "window." I had the '99 Margaux last month and it was young, young. I think perhaps that there are few if any great '99 bordeaux wines, but give the first growths some time . . . Lafite, Margaux, might surprise in 10 years. Try ...

I consumed my last 1982 Poujeaux last week with friends at a restaurant -- nearly pristine bottle with good neck fill . . . did not decant . . . lovely old bordeaux nose of tobacco, cherries, camphor . . . in the mouth very smooth . . . but lean, the fruit has slid quite away, and although the wine ...

Based on your note (and others) and other recent experience with 1995 CdP, I would guess the '95 Beau will be a very long ager . . . maybe not a great wine, but good enough and lasting longer than most. 1995 Clos des Papes and VT still seem a bit reluctant to me. I have a magnum of '95 Beaucastel th...

I've had the '98 Le Bon Pasteur 4 or 5 times in the last 3 years, largely from 375 format, and have always been surprised at how young this wine seems. I last tired this last month and found it finally showed some complexity, very full and concentrated, but still holding some tooth-drying tannin and...

Thanks for the TN. I have a 3-liter of this that I can't seem to find and event for . . . how long do you think it might show well?

--Gary Rust

David -- I've had many '88 Beaucastel bottles, and I agree with your assessment. I've found these "lesser vintages" of Beaucastel to be a real treat. I'm down to 3 or 4 bottles of the '94, which I also recommend -- and they can be had at auction for a very reasonable price ($40-$55). I eve...

I've had many fine btls of '88 Beaucastel, and am starting to believe the "secret" to "Beau" is to stock up on the "lesser" vintages because they just don't make mediocre wine. I've been drinking 750s and Mags of the '94 vintage over the past few years and loving it. Tw...