New Saint Emilion classification will come out on the 8th of September.
Get ready for another round of controversy....
AR
Search found 2378 matches
- Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:07 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The most over classified wine.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 2708
- Wed Aug 17, 2022 10:57 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2022 vintage already begun in Bordeaux
- Replies: 11
- Views: 660
Re: 2022 vintage already begun in Bordeaux
Hey, it ain't over until the fat lady sings! As usual, the media either get it wrong, or distort things :-). There is, of course, such a thing as smoke taint, but there is also something called geography. The smoke from the fires about an hour's drive from Bordeaux drifted as far as hundreds of mile...
- Wed Aug 17, 2022 5:50 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2022 vintage already begun in Bordeaux
- Replies: 11
- Views: 660
2022 vintage already begun in Bordeaux
The local newspaper, Sud-Ouest, reports that picking has started for grapes used to make Crémant de Bordeaux, as well as other dry white wines at estates such as Carbonnieux and Luchey-Halde. This is the earliest start to a vintage on record. There were three heat waves this summer and drought condi...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 5:44 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1656
Re: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
Yes, the moto prior to 1973 was: Premier ne puis second ne daigne Mouton suis whose meaning is pretty close to what you wrote: I cannot be a first I do not deign to be a second I am Mouton When you visit Mouton, they make sure to point out that the first growths are listed in alphabetical order, and...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:59 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The most over classified wine.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 2708
Re: The most over classified wine.
No, Marc, that was Pavie.
And just think, if they keep their classification, they will be the only "A"!
AR
And just think, if they keep their classification, they will be the only "A"!
AR
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:30 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The most over classified wine.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 2708
Re: The most over classified wine.
Marc, Next month. By the process of elimination, those who have been excluded already know because letters have been sent out to those who have been accepted. Presumably, this is why La Gaffelière "withdrew" from the classification rather than be downgraded (Ausone, Cheval Blanc, and Angél...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:00 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2016 Larose-Trintaudon: Two enthusiastic thumbs up.
- Replies: 12
- Views: 635
Re: 2016 Larose-Trintaudon: Two enthusiastic thumbs up.
I think Larose Trintaudon is a very good wine, and excellent value for money.
This thread makes me want to go visit them.
Just imagine: they have 175 hectares of vines, i.e. more than entire Burgundian village appellations such as Vosne-Romanée!
AR
This thread makes me want to go visit them.
Just imagine: they have 175 hectares of vines, i.e. more than entire Burgundian village appellations such as Vosne-Romanée!
AR
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:50 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The most over classified wine.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 2708
Re: The most over classified wine.
By the way, Mark, the comment about detractors of La Lagune was not at all targeting you.
I was someone else in another thread.
AR
I was someone else in another thread.
AR
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:49 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The most over classified wine.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 2708
Re: The most over classified wine.
I wistfully think of what the Quié wines (Rauzan Gassies and Croizet Bages) would be like under different management and with massive investment. Rauzan Gassies in particular has a very good terroir. To be fair, the wine is better these days than it was in the past, although it still falls far short...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:34 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1656
Re: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
And then, of course, there's the famous - and somewhat arrogant - motto of Mouton Rothschild when they were promoted starting with the 1973 vintage :
Premier je suis
Second je fus
Mouton ne change
or,
I am a first growth
I was a second
(But) Mouton does not change.
Alex R.
Premier je suis
Second je fus
Mouton ne change
or,
I am a first growth
I was a second
(But) Mouton does not change.
Alex R.
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:28 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Wine as an investment vehicle
- Replies: 20
- Views: 699
Re: Wine as an investment vehicle
I love it when some wines I've bought have increased by hundereds of percentage points. But I would never be tempted to sell my wine. Anyone read this book? It kind of mocks the trading and retrading of name wines. https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Wine-Trade-Sardines-Stories/dp/0060157852 Best regards...
- Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:25 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The most over classified wine.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 2708
Re: The most over classified wine.
Interesting question. By that, I assume you mean one that provide poorest value-for-money, *as well as* ones that show badly compared to their rank. In other words, there's the official classification and then classifcation by market price... If we were talking Saint-Emilion, Pavie and Angélus insta...
- Fri Aug 12, 2022 6:51 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1656
Re: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
Conor, Thanks for pointing out that I was laboring under a false impression with regard to the "A" on Saint-Emilion labels. My frame of reference is obviously outdated. It never used to be that way. I don't know when they started. Of course, Cheval Blanc and Angléus have now withdrawn from...
- Fri Aug 12, 2022 7:10 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1656
Re: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
I’m not really in agreement about the commercial impact of the 1855 classification at 3rd, 4th, and 5th growth level. While this may be inconsequential to some BWEers, I think you’ll find that the market does indeed rank prices loosely based on where châteaux fit into the classification, even though...
- Wed Aug 10, 2022 7:03 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1656
Re: It doesn’t matter if you are classified third, fourth or fifth in the classification.
Hi Guys, I have a more nuanced take on this subject, which reminds me of the belief expessed here that it doesn't matter whether a Saint Emilion grand cru is classified or not. Sure, there are plenty of consumers who see no difference, or don't know the 1855 classification by heart as many of us do....
- Tue Aug 02, 2022 4:15 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Bordeaux in November?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 368
Re: Bordeaux in November?
Hi, November is not a bad time to visit, but keep in mind that the 1st and 11th are public holidays. And the Bordeaux climate can be pretty gray and wet. The advantage here though is that this is well and truly outside the tourist season. The city of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a go...
- Sat Jul 23, 2022 2:01 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Personal ranking of Pauillac fifth growths
- Replies: 8
- Views: 913
Personal ranking of Pauillac fifth growths
Picking up on Ian’s initiative, I thought it might be good to discuss the fifth growths of Pauillac, of which there are twelve. Some of these are not very well-known. Here’s my ranking with a few comments: Lynch Bages Pontet Canet Grand Puy Lacoste Clerc Milon d’Armailhacq Haut Batailley (this needs...
- Thu Jul 21, 2022 8:30 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Margaux appellation pecking order
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1216
Re: Margaux appellation pecking order
Ohn, and L'Aura, the AOC Margaux from Cambon La Pelouse, is a really good wine.
AR
AR
- Thu Jul 21, 2022 7:16 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Margaux appellation pecking order
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1216
Re: Margaux appellation pecking order
Hi Ian, Very good idea for a post. For what it’s worth, here’s my feedback, thumbnail version. Yes, Margaux and Palmer are indeed head and shoulders above the others. Issan: This château gets a lot of love but, in my opinion, more than it deserves. There are ten third growths in Margaux. As I see it...
- Mon Jul 11, 2022 6:43 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: St-Julien pecking order
- Replies: 56
- Views: 5987
Re: St-Julien pecking order
Hi Ian, I think I would put Ducru Beaucaillou ahead of Gruaud Larose. Aren’t you being unfair to Léoville Poyferré? In my opinion, their “stolid, unexciting” phase is long behind them. Let’s share a bottle of 2009 the next time you come over. It’s a humdinger . I’d would also tend to place Branaire...
- Tue Jul 05, 2022 2:56 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Cos d'Estournel vertical (1916-2017)
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1103
Re: Cos d'Estournel vertical (1916-2017)
Hi Izak,
Thanks for your detailed notes.
I think that there was a time when Cos was as bit too big and overwheming, but they have toned it down.
I have a couple of bottles of 2000 and must open one up soon.
All the best,
Alex
Thanks for your detailed notes.
I think that there was a time when Cos was as bit too big and overwheming, but they have toned it down.
I have a couple of bottles of 2000 and must open one up soon.
All the best,
Alex
- Thu Jun 23, 2022 2:52 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2019 tasting - 12 wines version 2
- Replies: 18
- Views: 772
Re: 2019 tasting - 12 wines version 2
Mark,
Thanks for your excellent notes.
They make for interesting reading.
It makes you wonder how the same wines would show in, let's say, 5 years, maybe 10.
99 is, in my opinion, a good vintage that is more approachable than most.
All the best,
Alex
Thanks for your excellent notes.
They make for interesting reading.
It makes you wonder how the same wines would show in, let's say, 5 years, maybe 10.
99 is, in my opinion, a good vintage that is more approachable than most.
All the best,
Alex
- Mon Jun 20, 2022 7:30 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Chablis tasting
- Replies: 9
- Views: 353
Chablis tasting
I don’t often drink Chablis and this is only the second time in my life that I have participated in anything approaching a comprehensive tasting of the stuff. My personal image of Chablis was heretofore not necessarily flattering. I went on the assumption that Côte de Beaune whites were much better,...
- Sat Jun 04, 2022 3:36 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Visit to Bandol
- Replies: 8
- Views: 441
Visit to Bandol
A friend with a house in Bandol, a picturesque small port (population 8,500) on the Mediterranean coast 50 km. east of Marseille, invited my wife and me to come and visit last month. Fortunately, my friend also shares a love of good wine (in fact, his family own a vineyard in the Beaujolais) and he ...
- Mon May 30, 2022 2:09 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Book Review: Grand Vins (Clive Coates, 1995)
- Replies: 8
- Views: 337
Re: Book Review: Grand Vins (Clive Coates, 1995)
Hi Arv, Coates is one of the leading British wine writers of one generation back. I've met the man. He is very self-satisfied and I was a bit put off when I saw him smoke a cigarette while drinking a glass of Champagne before dinner at a famous château. The format of his book, like many others, make...
- Tue Apr 05, 2022 7:24 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2009 Marquis d’Alesme
- Replies: 3
- Views: 354
2009 Marquis d’Alesme
I enjoyed a 2009 Château Marquis d’Alesme at lunch today with lamb chops. There are 10 third growths in Margaux, and my familiarity with some of them is pretty hazy. Such is the case for Marquis d’Alesme. This wine used to sell at very low prices and does not have a stellar reputation, so I thought ...
- Wed Mar 23, 2022 6:21 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2001 Domaine de Chevalier (rouge)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 516
2001 Domaine de Chevalier (rouge)
Hi, I recently saw that there was something of a polemic about the wines of Domaine de Chevalier on BWE… I’m in somewhat of the same situation as Izak in that Olivier Bernard has shown me great kindness over the years and served me some fabulous wines at his table, which makes a person naturally pro...
- Wed Mar 09, 2022 4:56 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Interesting Derencourt interview.
- Replies: 4
- Views: 391
Re: Interesting Derencourt interview.
Hi guys, First off, I'm impressed that you can read French! I think that was a good short interview with hardly anything really controversial. The Bordelais are a lot less conservative than they're made out to be ;-). The one thing that suggests a debate is this statement " Planter uniquement d...
- Mon Mar 07, 2022 8:17 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2009 Fieuzal
- Replies: 10
- Views: 845
2009 Fieuzal
I’ve always been a champion of the underdog and don’t think twice about going against prevailing opinions if that’s the way I see things. But I must admit that try as I may, I just can’t get excited about Château Fieuzal. Yesterday, with a roast of beef and potatoes cooked in goose fat, we enjoyed a...
- Wed Mar 02, 2022 9:02 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Why 62 is less than 61
- Replies: 9
- Views: 464
Re: Why 62 is less than 61
Hi, I think what this tasting *may* illustrate more than anything else is that ageworthiness and quality are not consubstantial although, of course, they can overlap. Since time machines have not yet been invented other than in the minds of science fiction writers, there is no way prove my point, bu...
- Wed Feb 09, 2022 2:50 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2000 Lynch Bages
- Replies: 3
- Views: 312
2000 Lynch Bages
Sorry for the sketchy notes. My wife and I were invited out to dinner on Saturday. The 2010 Opus One was not served blind. This was solid and well-structured, impeccable even. But it lacked elegance. This wine will gain with age, but it will never be in the top category IMHO. 2000 Lynch Bages was an...
Re: 61s at 61
Thanks for the excellent notes. I especially appreciated their lucidity and objectivity. One is so easily swayed by hype, and the notion that quality and agewortiness must needs go hand in hand. My opinion is theoretical, of course, but the same wines tasted 20 or 30 years ago would have told a very...
Re: 2008 DdC
Thanks for your notes.
At age 14, this is no longer a baby, so it would be normal to be sceptical about a "wait and see" rebuttal.
However, I have usually had good luck with Domaine de Chevalier (both red and white).
I will be interested to read feedback from other forumites.
Alex R.
At age 14, this is no longer a baby, so it would be normal to be sceptical about a "wait and see" rebuttal.
However, I have usually had good luck with Domaine de Chevalier (both red and white).
I will be interested to read feedback from other forumites.
Alex R.
- Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:24 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 89 Clerc Milon and Palmer, and musings on ageing Bordeaux
- Replies: 5
- Views: 479
89 Clerc Milon and Palmer, and musings on ageing Bordeaux
How old is old? It all depends really… A Beaujolais can be old one year after the vintage and I recently had a Pomerol from 1990, i.e. 32 years old, that still had a long way to go. The notion of “peak” is very difficult to define. François Audouze, a friend well-known on the French wine scene, reje...
- Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:54 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Second Labels
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1510
Re: Second Labels
Tom, om, Sorry if I misinterpreted what you wrote. The thing is, so many people here spend a lot of money on wine that we (myself included) can lose sight of how the average wine lover sees things, not to mention people with a modest income. Second wines? These have been referred to on the thread as...
- Fri Jan 07, 2022 1:11 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Second Labels
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1510
Re: Second Labels
I would like to take issue with the naysayers and – respectfully, of course – with you Tom. We were discussing second wines just last night. Tim Mc Cracken is in town and he kindly brought some bottles to taste blind. One of these was 1978 Clos du Marquis. This was a very fine Médoc, showing about a...
- Wed Jan 05, 2022 6:11 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Second Labels
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1510
Re: Second Labels
This topic regularly comes up on BWE. Some people avoid second wines on principal, whether because they are cautious or due to a certain element of snobbery. The answer to this question is simply that... it all depends. Dismissing second wines wholesale is pretty ignorant in my opinion, as is advoca...
- Wed Jan 05, 2022 10:45 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Angélus also withdraws from St. Emilion classification
- Replies: 9
- Views: 591
Angélus also withdraws from St. Emilion classification
What an unholy mess. This is their press release: Press release Saint-Emilion, 5th January 2022 Château Angelus withdraws its candidacy from the next Saint-Emilion classification. The Saint-Emilion classification has long been a wonderful collective motivational tool, which has enabled the appellati...
- Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:42 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Pomerol night
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1272
Re: Pomerol night
Marc wrote: "Vaccines clearly don’t stop the spread of the virus". That is patently false, and I am amazed at how people can fall for, and propagate such fake news. The virus has killed many thousands of people, including two in my family. The vaccines have saved many more lives. Only bloo...
- Wed Dec 29, 2021 8:21 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 2014 Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol
- Replies: 3
- Views: 191
Re: 2014 Domaine de Terrebrune, Bandol
Nic,
I have the 2011 of this wine that comes highly recommended.
I'll be sure to drink it in early 2022, and report back.
All best wishes for the New Year,
Alex
I have the 2011 of this wine that comes highly recommended.
I'll be sure to drink it in early 2022, and report back.
All best wishes for the New Year,
Alex