2006 Bordeaux?

[DavidG]

I'm done buying new Bordeaux, but for those still in the game, is anyone interested in these/think these are good prices? Macarthurs just sent out an email advertising 50% off. Haut Brion $350, Angelus $135, Cos $90, Haut Bailly $50, La Lagune $33, Lagrange $30, Pontet Canet $60, among others. Full list below. I can't post tables that format right - one of the few things this software doesn't do as well as the old MSN site (or more likely something I just don't know how to do on this site):


Item# 2006 Bordeaux Size List 50% Rating
39703 Ch Angelus-St Emilion * 750ml 269.00 134.50 95
39571 Ch Bahans Haut Brion-Pessac * 750ml 79.99 40.00 88
39501 Ch Beausejour Becot-St Emilion 750ml 79.99 40.00 91
39434 Ch Bellevue-St Emilion 750ml 65.99 33.00 92-94
39435 Ch Branaire-St Julien 750ml 74.99 37.50 90+
39377 Ch Calon Segur-St Estephe 750ml 89.99 45.00 91
39573 Ch Canon La Gaffeliere-St Emilion 750ml 110.00 55.00 92
39379 Ch Carmes Haut Brion-Pessac 750ml 74.99 37.50 90
39574 Ch Chapelle La Mission-Pessac * 750ml 59.99 30.00 92-94 WS
39499 Ch Clerc Milon-Pauillac 750ml 59.99 30.00 91
39380 Ch Clos Fortet-St Emilion 750ml 89.99 45.00 90-93
39507 Ch Clos Sarpe-St Emilion 750ml 119.00 59.50
39509 Ch Clos St Martin-St Emilion * 750ml 79.99 40.00 92-94
39381 Ch Corbin-St Emilion 750ml 34.99 17.50
39575 Ch Cos d'Estournel-St Estephe 750ml 179.00 89.50 94
39862 Ch Croix Mouton-Bordeaux 750ml 19.99 10.00 89
39384 Ch Du Tertre-Margaux 750ml 49.99 25.00
39437 Ch Duhart Milon-Pauillac 750ml 59.99 30.00 92
39497 Ch Feyit Clinet-Pomerol 750ml 69.99 35.00 91
39385 Ch Giscours-Margaux 750ml 65.99 33.00 91 WS
39578 Ch Gracia-St Emilion * 750ml 159.00 79.50 93+
40371 Ch Grand Corbin Despagne-St Emilion * 750ml 32.99 16.50 90
39443 Ch Haut Bailly-Pessac 750ml 99.99 50.00 95
40774 Ch Haut Bailly-Pessac MAG 219.00 109.50 95
39705 Ch Haut Brion BLANC-Pessac * 750ml 699.00 349.50 95
39706 Ch Haut Brion-Pessac 750ml 739.00 369.50 96
39386 Ch La Confession-St Emilion 750ml 59.99 30.00 91
39580 Ch La Conseillante-Pomerol 750ml 159.00 79.50 93
39498 Ch La Gomerie-St Emilion 750ml 119.00 59.50 91
39438 Ch La Lagune-Medoc 750ml 65.99 33.00 91
39439 Ch Lagrange-St Julien 750ml 59.99 30.00 91
39388 Ch Leoville Barton-St Julien 750ml 89.99 45.00 94 WS
39710 Ch Leoville Las Cases-St Julien 750ml 299.00 149.50 95
39581 Ch Leoville Poyferre-St Julien * 750ml 89.99 45.00 91
39440 Ch L'Evangile-Pomerol 750ml 249.00 124.50 93
39389 Ch Malartic Lagraviere-Pessac 750ml 59.99 30.00 90
39582 Ch Marojallia-Margaux 750ml 129.00 64.50 91
39510 Ch Monbousquet-St Emilion * 750ml 59.99 30.00 92
39583 Ch Montrose-St Estephe 750ml 129.00 64.50 94+
39713 Ch Palmer-Margaux * 750ml 299.00 149.50 92
39584 Ch Pape Clement red-Pessac 750ml 199.00 99.50 95
39502 Ch Paveil de Luze-Margaux 750ml 24.99 12.50
39714 Ch Pavie-St Emilion 750ml 399.00 199.50 96
40785 Ch Pavie-St Emilion MAG 799.00 399.50 96
39715 Ch Pavillon Rouge du Margaux * 750ml 89.99 45.00
39716 Ch Petit Mouton-Pauillac * 750ml 129.00 64.50
39586 Ch Pichon Baron-Pauillac * 750ml 129.00 64.50 92
39587 Ch Pichon Lalande-Pauillac 750ml 159.00 79.50 95
39506 Ch Pontet Canet-Pauillac 750ml 119.00 59.50 95+
39442 Ch Rauzan Segla-Margaux * 750ml 89.99 45.00 93
39391 Ch Rol Valentin-St Emilion 750ml 65.99 33.00 90
39589 Ch Smith Haut Lafitte BLANC-Pessac 750ml 99.99 50.00 93
39588 Ch Smith Haut Lafitte rouge-Pessac 750ml 89.99 45.00 93
40369 Ch Soutard-St Emilion 750ml 44.99 22.50
39717 Ch Troplong Mondot-St Emilion 750ml 299.00 149.50 93

[Blanquito]

Still too much for me, and I'm still open to buying young Bordeaux. For example, I bought really terrific Bordeaux for much better prices not long ago: the 2000 Lagrange for $35 in 12/05, the 2003 Pontet-Canet for $48 in 4/06, the 2003 Duhart Milon for $25 in 4/06, etc.

I can see why some would think these good prices, but it's all relative, and for me there not good value. (all except the Grand Corbin Despagne for $16.50, but it was already sold out).

[Elmo]

It's still (quite) a bit over the expected '08 prices. And 2008 is likely to be better quality from what I hear (not tasted). So, I'd put my money in 2008.

[JimHow]

Seems like some competitive prices to me. $30 for an RMP92 2006 Duhart Milon-- one of my favorite estates-- is pretty hard to beat, that's just a few dollars more than what I paid for the '96. Are these wines in stock?

[DavidG]

I think they are in stock, Jim.

Patrick, quality comparisons aside, your price on the '00 Lagrange is actually higher than the '06.

I guess it's all relative. These are substantial price reductions, but they are coming down from such nosebleed territory that they may not be all that attractive. If I were buying, I'd be interested in wines with positive reviews in the $30-50 range, or first growths under $200. 2006 was not a bad year, just horribly overpriced.

[Houndsong]

Wasn't 2006 La Lagune supposed to be pretty good, or was that the 2004 I was thinking of? Still, I can't see how they sold a single bottle of it at $66 (hence I suppose the 50% off), and I'm not interested in it at $33 anyway. Does anybody else here think that's ($66) just a ridiculous price for that wine in an unheralded vintage?

[PappaDoc]

These five would be my choices, having had them a couple of times each now.

Lagrange-St Julien
La Lagune-Medoc
Haut Bailly
Leoville Barton
Pontet Canet

Especially the Haut Bailly

Two other 06s that really took me is the Brane Cantenac and Jimmys' Lynch. All these wines are "Classic" Bordeaux.

[Blanquito]

FWIW, here's Parker's ratings of La Lagune since 1982:
Year Rating
2007 (90-92)
2006 91
2005 95
2004 90
2003 90
2002 87
2001 87
2000 86
1999 85
1998 (83-85)
1997 86
1996 86
1995 88
1994 (83-86)
1993 (86-87)
1992 85
1991 81
1990 90
1989 90
1988 85
1987 82
1986 88
1985 86
1984 74
1983 88
1982 90

[Houndsong]

Yeah, so if you went on it's ratings track record alone, you could only conclude that something else is supporting the price. Maybe it's status as a classed gorwth. We know it's not Stefan driving up the price. He gets all his wine on closeouts from some mysterious local broker.

[stefan]

I liked Parker better when he gave LL low scores. He did that, BTW, even when writing that La Lagune was one of his favorites!

Tonight we'll celebrate Lucie's 65th (sic) with 83 La Lagune, 96 Pol Roger Brut Chardonnay, and a bunch of other wines.

stefan

[JimHow]

Tell Lucie happy birthday from Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts!

[Jay Winton]

The LL also caught my eye or did Stefan clean Macs out already? Happy Birthday to Lucie upon whom mrs vino conferred the coveted designation of truly "hip" at the convention.

[PappaDoc]

Happy Birthday Lucie!

[JimHow]

I'm going to make a bold statement here: If those wines that David listed are in stock, there are some breakthrough prices in that list. Not in all cases, but $30 per bottle for Duhart Milon, Clerc Milon, Lagrange, etc., is enticing, especially when you factor in the U.S. dollar.

[DavidG]

The wines that peaked my interest are almost the same as the ones Pappa has listed:

Haut Bailly
Lagrange
La Lagune
Pontet Canet
Angelus

But I'm not buying any more young Bordeaux.

[DavidG]

Really.

[DavidG]

I'm serious. Not gonna happen.

[DavidG]

Must resist...

[Jon Burdick]

50% off some of the lower tier wines is a good deal. As you move up in price, the 2006s were so overpriced that 50% doesn't quite cut it for me, and the 2008s pre-arrivals are less expensive as they roll out. That's going to put some serious pricing pressure on those in the trade holding 2006s.

I've been able to exercise restraint since the 2005 purchases......my cellar is now full (if those wines from PC ever come in!).

David - keep your vertical of Angelus intact!

[DavidG]

Jon, your math makes sense.

You and I are in the same boat. Full cellar and no real need to keep buying young Bordeaux. And I'm also waiting on a bunch of '05s from PC. But I did have a moment of weakness after the '05 purchases, and bought a bunch of '07 Chateauneufs (Harry's fault!).

[JimHow]

There is something about this thread and these prices that are starting to get me obssessing about buying these wines.

Talk me down somebody!

[stefan]

The prices are tempting. But I cannot take delivery until December and I do not trust MacArthurs to hold wine for me (they don't verify the existence of what they sell until they pull it from the warehouse for shipping).

stefan

[Houndsong]

Jon, it's about time you showed up.

Jim, there are several good reasons not to buy these. Uh, 1. uh ...

[Winona Chief]

I was in MacAthurs yesterday. They were out of all the 2006s that I was interested in - Haut Bailly, Pontet Canet, Angelus, etc. I didn't buy anything.

Chris Bublitz

[DavidG]

That's a relief, Chris, as those were the wines I was interested in, and now I don't have to worry about resisting the urge to buy. I don't know how much of this stuff they had, but it sounds like whatever they did have moved out pretty fast at those prices.

[JimHow]

Welcome back Jon!

[SteveH]

What's the style of this vintage?
I've been out of the loop, and I no longer subscribe to any of the wine critics' newsletters.

[JimHow]

Supposedly a traditional British claret lover's style a la 1996, according to some notes I've read. I wonder how prices are going to be in NH.

[SteveH]

If 2006 is like 1996, count me in if there's sensible pricing. As you know, NH has been out of touch on their French wine pricing for a couple of years. I went yesterday to reload on some everyday whites... only because of the $10. gift card program. (They give you a $10. gift card for every $75. you spend in the store.) I bought a few Macallan 12 yr. single malt 750s on sale at $44., then one each of various whites to test out.
I can't get excited about 2006 1st Growths if they're priced in the $350. range.

[rjsussex]

These are/were good prices for what I think the UK trade is currently trying to avoid saying is a better vintage than 08. But only a week or so ago I bought a case of the Clerc Milon for c£23 which is more or less the same as this offer?

Talking of 08s there are some wildly differing opinions in the UK as to which are the best wines. I thought everyone was behind Poyferre but now see some definite nay-sayers. With the very weak UK pound any reductions from 06/07 prices have been frequently cancelled out. Today sees Beychevelle at £265 when the 07 was £260 and the 06 £240...

Richard

[normexwineclub]

2006 is a good but irregular vintage. It was fairly hot and dry much of the year, then rains predominanted in August and early Septmember and there was threat of mildew that required most to spray. The chateau that made the right decisions and much effort, and were selective produced good wines. Not as high alcohol as 2005, many wines have angular tannins, but good concentration and balance. Parker's vintage charts show a left bank 87-88, Pomerol 92, St. Emilion 88, all with early maturity. Within the subjectivity of vintage ratings, for my tastes the left bank should be slightly higher and Pomerol slightly lower. However for pricing many wines came out at nearly the same as the 2005 vintage.