Your favorite 4ième Cru Classé

[Nicklasss]

The First are all good. For the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Cru Classés, it is easy to identify 1-2 wines that are better than the others.

In the group of the 4th, a bit harder to tell which one is the best.

Let say we start from 1980 to now… which 4th Growth wine is your favorite?

[JoelD]

For me, the clear result is Beychevelle. Every bottle that I've had has been quite good. 83,85,89,00 are standouts. I just bought a whole case of the 2000 recently after having it the first time. I haven't tasted almost any of these young though. But have obviously had some very good Talbot, Duhart. Prieure Lichine is one that I think is underrated.

[robert goulet]

'89 Bey was delish last year

[stefan]

Branaire Ducru.

[ericp]

I wanted to say Beychevelle, But then I figured I should let Cellertracker tell me what my “favorite“ was by which wine I’ve bought and drank the most of. Branaire edged out Lafon Rochet.

[JoelD]

I should ask a follow up here. Was this factoring for QPR or no? If not then my answer stands. If so then I would probably switch to Branaire Ducru. But it would still be very close.

[DavidG]

Tough call between Beychevelle and Talbot. Went with Talbot on the strength of those great Cordier wines. For some reason Branaire has been hit or miss for me.

[Claudius2]

Guys
I voted for Beychevelle as it is on a roll now and is unfortunately getting more expensive. It was the first classed growth I ever drank - a long time ago - and along with LB, GL, Branaire and a few others, led me to admire the wines of the Medoc. I got into the right bank a bit later though more due to availability in Australia.
Cheers
Mark

[marcs]

Have a case of the 2016 Beychevelle so we'll see how that works out (once the 2016s come round -- hoping it won't be a 1995 type vintage).

Branaire Ducru has been reliably good but not great for me, but the best 4th growth I ever had was the 86 Talbot and it's not close

[JoelD]

Have a case of the 2016 Beychevelle so we'll see how that works out (once the 2016s come round -- hoping it won't be a 1995 type vintage).

Branaire Ducru has been reliably good but not great for me, but the best 4th growth I ever had was the 86 Talbot and it's not close

We had a 2000 beychevelle together last fall that I would personally rate ahead of the 86 Talbot that I’ve had a couple times. The 83/85/89 are right there with the 86 Talbot and speak to me more. Although I’ve rated them similarly in the 93-95pt range

[marcs]

Have a case of the 2016 Beychevelle so we'll see how that works out (once the 2016s come round -- hoping it won't be a 1995 type vintage).

Branaire Ducru has been reliably good but not great for me, but the best 4th growth I ever had was the 86 Talbot and it's not close

We had a 2000 beychevelle together last fall that I would personally rate ahead of the 86 Talbot that I’ve had a couple times. The 83/85/89 are right there with the 86 Talbot and speak to me more. Although I’ve rated them similarly in the 93-95pt range

I don’t even remember that 2000 Beychevelle…what event was this at?

I usually have a decent wine memory but sometimes it fails me, particularly at large tastings. If I don’t remember it it probably didn’t transfix me for whatever reason though…

[Winona Chief]

Can’t vote against those 1982, 1983 and 1986 Talbots - they were all fabulous over and over again.

Chris Bublitz

[Gerry M.]

Can’t vote against those 1982, 1983 and 1986 Talbots - they were all fabulous over and over again.

Chris Bublitz

I still have one lone 82' left that I am holding out for the right occasion. I don't doubt it's seen its' best day but I can think of some good times looking at it.

[Ianjaig]

I voted for Saint Pierre as it's a wine that's never let me down. I can understand Branaire Ducru getting most of the votes however, as its arguably the most elegant of all of the wines listed. In fact, all of these wines I have typically enjoyed with la Tour Carnet being the only exception. Bit of "meh" wine that one for me.

[DavidK]

My pick: Lafon-Rochet. Late 20th century vintages were consistently good, in my opinion. I haven't had any post-2000 vintage.

[Nicklasss]

I finally made my choice. It was not easy as this category has many excellent candidate.

Unfortunately, i did not had many vintages of the 4th growth.

I finally choose Talbot. I can't ignore the great wines they made in the 80's. I did tried any 90's. The 2002, was good only, but for the price i paid, 22$, surely can't complaint. Few years ago, tried the 2015 and 2017, and though they were just excellent, balanced, complex and very "Saint Julienesque". I have to admit, the 2017 impressed me at UGC Montréal. Since director is Jean-Michel Laporte (previously at la Conseillante), the wine, confidence and critics score went up. Bought some 2019, as it is supposed to be a superb wine... This is as wine to search for in the latest vintages i guess.

[Nicklasss]

Branaire would be my second choice. I clearly like Duhart and Beychevelle too.

[DavidK]

My pal David Kaplan and I had a superb bottle of 1995 Lafon-Rochet at lunch this afternoon at Gabriel Kruether in Manhattan. We drank it with two courses: smoked duck breast and pasta with a chestnut and white truffle sauce. The flavors of the food were assertive, and the Lafon-Rochet was a wonderful match.

[robert goulet]

Talbot #1