1973 Petrus at Premier Cru for $799. Hahahahahahahahaha.

[JimHow]

Oh, that's a good one....

We had this wine at the first BWE convention in Chicago in 2001, and it was dead then.

Out of freaking control....

[DavidG]

Imagine how dead it will be when actually delivered in 2073...

But then again, hark back to Francois' stance that old wines can rise from the ashes, sometimes repeatedly over the years. Like a zombie from a grade B horror movie - just when you think they're dead they come roaring back. Not that I'm ready to put out $799 to find out.

[Winona Chief]

I thought 1973 Petrus was a pretty nice wine when I drank it back in 1981 but then again, I think I paid $13 for the bottle (compared to the very nice 1973 Lafleur at around $5). Most of the 1973s were inexpensive, pleasant drinking, lighter wines - called luncheon clarets at the time. Total waste of money to buy one now at an absurd price.

Chris Bublitz

[JimHow]

I can't remember whether it was the 73 or the 74 we had in Chicago in '01. It was pleasant enough, just way, way past its prime. Wasn't there a year in the early seventies when Petrus didn't produce a wine? Or was that the early nineties?

[Claudius2]

Winona
Agreed.
I recall drinking numerous 73s that were pleasant wines - though even by the late 80's they were starting to fade a little.
I thin if the bottle of Petrus was empty it would have cost as much.
Oh well.

[JCNorthway]

Jim, I think it was 1974 Petrus at the initial BWE gathering 2001. But I'll bet Nic would remember for sure.

Jon

[JimHow]

I think you are right Jon.

[Houndsong]

Ah, but the 73 Lafon Rochet en mag I paid $80 for a couple of years ago was really worth it. No tannin but plenty of fruit. But there's also no comparing immediate provenance either: MacArthur Beverages versus PC.

[sdr]

I had this one once when it was about 10 years old. Cost maybe an outrageous $50 then. Mediocre, to put it kindly. (Almost) made me swear off Petrus forever.

Stuart

[dstgolf]

I was planning on opening a 73 Pape Clement for Christmas dinner. With the panning of the vintage not sure if I want to risk disappointment on Christmas. Any thoughts Chris et al.

[Winona Chief]

There can always be surprises with older wines but I sure would want to have a back-up in case your 1973 Pape Clement is over the hill. I don't think I have ever tasted 1973 Pape Clement. I believe I drank the last of my 1973s over 20 years. The 1973s were light, pleasant and refreshing wines (most were better than the 1972s and 1974s) but were not meant for long aging. Many of the top names under-performed in 1973. I think St. Julian and Pomerol did fairly well. If I remember correcly the St. Emilions did quite poorly due to unripe Cab Franc. No experience with Graves. Good luck.

Chris Bublitz

[Comte Flaneur]

I have had 1973 Pape Clement twice, most recently about five years ago. And it was commendably good on both occasions. Latour is good in 73, as it usually is in off vintages.

[Nicklasss]

Yes, JCNorthway is right! It was the 1974 Petrus in Chicago 2001.

I can't forget, as it is my birthyear.

Nic