TN: Haut Brion 2006

[Winesense]

Color: Dark, almost Black. Complex Nose cassis, barique and herbs. It seems to display an other taste on each inch on the tongue. Very complex, very aromatic.
Cassis, Cocos , chocolate, herbs. Minerality is there as well. Delicate but also powerfull. Great Haut Brion. Rating: 96

[DavidG]

Thanks for taking one for the team with an early note on a big gun. I gave up on the first growths in '05 due to prices, and was tempted by some of the price drops in '06, but not tempted enough to pull the trigger. Haut Brion is often my favorite first. Your note got me to go back and recheck prices, but I am going to have to enjoy this one vicariously.

[Winesense]

Thanks a lot. Yes indeed the prices come down quite nicely. On the other hand, how do you think about buying pape clement, which is close in quality and tastes ? I remember dark choclate and wild rosemary probably even more powerfull than the Haut Brion but less elegant.

[stefan]

The wonderful 2002 Pape Clement is available for under $70, while you have to look hard to find the 2006 for less than $100.

stefan

[DavidG]

That's the problem. While '06 prices have come down significantly from the '05s, they still remain higher than most other vintages. I did spring for a few '06 Angelus - it's a perennial favorite of mine. Other than that, I'm staying on the sidelines. Partly due to price, partly because I have enough Bordeaux to last the next decade or two...

[Gerry M.]

I picked up a bottle of 06' Pape Clement for $77 after discount in NH. The 06 Haut Brion would be $296 after case discount.

[Winesense]

Yes, it surprises me too. Pape 06 has come down to a level where its price is quite ok for a pape clement.
I wonder if there is something behind the rumor that inventories are full in Bordeaux because of price speculation.
It does not seem to be just Mr. Magrez who is short for money.

[Claudius]

Guys,
I think there are still better values out there.
06 has not come down where QPR makes snese.
Maybe it will eventually, but 01, 02, 04 are looking good if you want value.

[Claudius]

One last point
In Australia, the retailers have been sending their 06s to auction - they got stuck at the wrong time.
They are NOT moving and most are being passed in.

[DavidG]

I agree with Claudius re: '06 prices. Prices are better than '05, but so what?