2005 Barde-Haut has been uncorked and other ramblings….

[JimHow]

Cracked open my cases of 2005 Barde Haut and 2005 Haut Bergey this week as I begin a nice little six day Memorial Day weekend vacation.
The weather is turning nice and summer in the Great State of Maine is underway!

[JimHow]

Burgundian, aromatic, flowery, elegant.

[JimHow]

This is really becoming a Jim How favorite estate. What classy wines this estate is producing! Feminine but a feminine strength to it, like when Hillary kept rubbing my inner thigh during that magical 45 minutes together behind closed doors….

[JimHow]

Speaking of politics, if you want to hear your benevolent dictator in his efforts to save a city you can listen here. I do it all. I am superman.

http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-1082440.mp3

[JimHow]

The obligatory BWE photo….

[AKR]

I love Barde Haute too, planning on getting some 2015.

Its replaced Faugeres as my St Emilion workhorse.

[JimHow]

I mean, at $26, the 2012 Barde Haut almost becomes a house wine for me. I have about 15 bottles in my cellar and I'm going to buy at least another case, maybe two, when MacArthur's re-stocks it in the next month or so.

[JimHow]

You know, I can contemplate whether or not this will improve with more age, blah, blah, blah. I'm very happy to drink Barde Haut very young, like the 2012, or with a little age to it, like this 2005. They are both very lovely. The 2005 is developing a little more complexity now with two hours of oxygen. It has a lovely little hint of earthiness to it that, again, reminds me of Burgundy. I'll probably drink most of my remaining 11 bottles from the case during the next five years, maybe hold onto a bottle or two for another ten to fifteen years out of curiosity. Bottom line: On a consistent basis, Barde Haut Haut is producing seductive, aromatic, clean wines that are not over-the-top, not Parkerized, that are modern but are nonetheless very true to (right bank) Bordeaux. And the pricing is extremely competitive. The 2005 Barde Haut is a VERY strong effort. Drink now and over the next decade. 93 points.

[JCNorthway]

For the past year or two, I have been digging into my stash of both the Barde Haut and Haut Bergey from the 2000 vintage. Based on my experience, these wines not only will age well but also drink well as youngsters - as you are finding.

[robertgoulet]

Hillary feminine?

Rubbing your inner thighs?...ewwwwww

[Racer Chris]

Looks like I should get some 2012 Haut-Bergey. I think it will be my first Pessac-Leognan red.
Available at Total Wine locally, about $23.

[JimHow]

Yes I give it two thumbs up Chris, that's what I paid for it, I think it is a bargain.

[DavidG]

I like this wine too. My notes from about 6 months ago:

2005 Barde-Haut: Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Dark red/purple, minimal lightening at the rim. Cassis, dark berries on the nose. Medium-full body, dark fruits, nice balance, still some tannins, medium finish. No longer youthful but no significant aged complexity. Excellent.

So Jim, Hillary kept rubbing your inner thigh for 45 minutes? This story gets progressively better with each retelling! Are we going to see a news clip of you saying "I did not have sexual relations with that woman?"

[JimHow]

And I keep waiting for you guys to ask what happened, David, when we advanced into the school gymnasium….