So what have you bought lately?

[JimHow]

I'm losing my mind. Somebody save me.
(Well, ok, three are for DavidG.)

2016 Haut Brion x 6.

[jckba]

^now that’s a pretty sweet new arrivals picture.

[DavidG]

Regarding those 2016 Haut Brion - my favorite First Growth from a killer year and at INSANE “last chance” NH closeout pricing…

I posted this in the Mr. Lafite thread, but it really belongs here.

What can you say about a guy that goes 200 miles out of his way on his trip home from work to pick up a few bottles of fine Bordeaux for a buddy he sees maybe every year or two? Just because the buddy posted on BWE that he’d buy those bottles of 2016 Haut Brion if he could figure out the logistics. If that isn’t the true spirit of BWE, I don’t know what is.

Thank you Jim. My first sip when I uncork the 2000 Conseillante tonight is to you.

[JimHow]

I’m happy to do it, David, I have certainly experienced the over and above generosity of you and other BWEers over the decades more than anyone else. I wish I could do it more often! Those Haut Brions look perfect! I’ll see you down your way before spring.

[RPCV]

This gesture/effort is why I absolutely love the BWE community.

[JCNorthway]

Too bad we all don't live closer to New Hampshire!

[JimHow]

1 x 2014 Chateau Latour
1 x 2016 Les Forts de Latour
1 x 2014 Montrose
1 x 2014 La Dame de Montrose
1 x 2020 Pavie Macquin
1 x 2019 Serilhan
2 x 2019 Coutet (half)
10 x 2020 Tour St. Christophe

[JimHow]

6 x 2014 Leoville Barton
6 x 2014 Duhart Milon

[PghMike]

3x 2020 Trotanoy
2x 2019 d'Yquem

A pretty decent sale on Zachys today.

[jckba]

Sure was and picked up a cases of 2020 Sociando Mallet for $23.39/per, 2020 Branaire Ducru for $29.99/per 2020 Lagrange for $35.99/per and I ended up breaking my own second wine rule with a purchase of the 2020 Le Petit Mouton for $119.99/per.

[JimHow]

Nice. It seems like 2020, like 2019, is rationally priced.

[jckba]

I think this is something more as the only reason to have a fire sale and sell things below wholesale cost is if you are in a cash crunch. What I wouldn’t give for a look underneath the hood.

[JimHow]

That’s a Premier-Cru-like deal on the Sociando. We’ve seen a few disturbing hints of trouble from Zachy’s in the past year or so that look all too familiar.

[jckba]

And still available with coupon code ‘MIDWINTER40’ which takes an additional 40% off their sale price of $38.99/per.

[Gerry M.]

As the old saying goes, if it looks too good to be true the usually it is. I think we've all read the stories. Has anyone read anything to reduce the need for caution?

[stefan]

What is the risk exposure if you buy with MC or VISA CC and ask for quick shipping? Unless the published agreements have changed since the PC debacle, I think the risk is nil. These days I only buy online with a CC even if I pay a premium for using a CC instead of a check just because of the protection afforded by the CC.

[jckba]

FYI the sale applied to mostly in stock wines such as this 2020 Sociando, I placed my order yesterday and received a ‘Your Order is Ready for Pickup!’ email today. Also picked up 4 2019 Rieussec’s in that funky looking bottle for $54/per earlier this morning.

PS and I have no Zachys affiliation

My issue is more with the growing number of stores offering prearrival such as Larchmont Wine & Liquors or Vintage Wine & Spirits Marketplace as it simply appears like they are doing the legwork of sourcing your wine abroad and working towards self importing it vs the traditional 3 tiered system. IMHO paying in advance for a future arrival is a slippery slope.

[JimHow]

It's been awhile since I've ordered from Zachys, I always got good service from them. There seems to be a glitch in the website right now.

[jckba]

It's been awhile since I've ordered from Zachys, I always got good service from them. There seems to be a glitch in the website right now.

Just click on any Zachys website link from any of their emails and you sidestep that dump birthdate check which does not permit you to enter their site and shop. Not sure what goes on there or who manages the website traffic but not being able to log on to their site is a god awful glitch.

[DavidG]

It's been awhile since I've ordered from Zachys, I always got good service from them. There seems to be a glitch in the website right now.

Just click on any Zachys website link from any of their emails and you sidestep that dump birthdate check which does not permit you to enter their site and shop. Not sure what goes on there or who manages the website traffic but not being able to log on to their site is a god awful glitch.

I thought the website problem was just me. And my better angels helping me exercise restraint. Or should that be restraining me?

[JimHow]

The glitch seems to be repaired, David, I just ordered my case of 2020 Sociando, thanks for the lead JC!

[DavidG]

Fortunately, the glitch kept me out long enough for the good deals on stuff I’m interested in to be picked over. Tempted by 2016 Cantemerle at $40 but I’m well set on that and Saratoga has it for even less.

[JimHow]

Yeah same here, David, I went a little crazy in January, culminating in the purchase of a 2014 Chateau Latour that is scheduled to be delivered to my house tomorrow. I am mad. The 2020 pricing seems to be noteworthy to me, although I must say I'm just beginning to take some notice.

[DavidG]

Nothing crazy about 2014 Latour IMO Jim.

I’m so far sticking to my “no Bordeaux younger than 2019” pledge, and trying to backfill only 2016 and older.

[JimHow]

“No Bordeaux younger than 2019.”

lol. You are a beast!

[JimHow]

It has been a while since I've had Latour in my cellar. Or Les Forts for that matter....

[William P]

I believe after vintage 2016 I made the promise not to buy anymore new Bordeaux because by the time it is properly aged, the odds are that I'll be timed out. You will be happy to know this is the fourth vintage that I broke said promise. No big deal, I like young and old. Sounds a little prevy. Went to the local store and impulsively bought the following:

2020 Stefan's Chateau That Shall Not Be Named. He and I do appreciate this wine. I suspect a vertical in the future is in order. I have to talk to Arv, Gene, and Glenn.
2020 Ch. Latour-Martillac. This is not a Chateau that I frequent but the price was right and I looking forward to testing some the 2020 vintage.

I hope all is well with the group.

Bill

[stefan]

While waiting for my doctor to finish a colonoscopy before doing my endoscopy (I hope he washed his hands in between) I discovered that I had won a few lots at an auction:

6 2017 Vaudesir, L. Michel $381.30
6 1998 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurene $227.55
6 2014 Chateau Haut Bailly $409.59
3 2009 Leoville Barton + 1 2009 St Pierre 405.90
1 2001 Rieussec + 1 2001 Suduiraut + 1 1983 Doisy Vedrines + 1 1987 Maitre d'Estournel Blanc $209.10
(I hope that 1987 is OK for cooking)
6 2009 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Louise + 5 2014 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Lazy River Vineyard + 1 2010 Oregon Bottle (WTF is this?) $516.60

I wanted some older and oldish Domaine Drouhin PN because all of mine are from 2013 and later. As a top tier DD wine club member, I pay $100+ for the current release of Louise, so I ignored what else was in the lot with it. The Panther Creek Lazy River actually reviewed well in 2014, so maybe I won't have to use it for cooking.

I am always happy to get more Louis Michel Chablis.

[Nicklasss]

While in Montreal, bought :

1 X 2016 Pol Roger Vintage
1 X 2018 Michel Magnien Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Climats d'Or.
1 X 2020 Lafon-Rochet
1 X 2020 Le Gay
1 X 2010 Latour à Pomerol
2 X 2019 Petit Village
2 X 2019 Bélair Monange

[DavidG]

While waiting for my doctor to finish a colonoscopy before doing my endoscopy (I hope he washed his hands in between) I discovered that I had won a few lots at an auction:

6 2017 Vaudesir, L. Michel $381.30
6 1998 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurene $227.55
6 2014 Chateau Haut Bailly $409.59
3 2009 Leoville Barton + 1 2009 St Pierre 405.90
1 2001 Rieussec + 1 2001 Suduiraut + 1 1983 Doisy Vedrines + 1 1987 Maitre d'Estournel Blanc $209.10
(I hope that 1987 is OK for cooking)
6 2009 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Louise + 5 2014 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Lazy River Vineyard + 1 2010 Oregon Bottle (WTF is this?) $516.60

I wanted some older and oldish Domaine Drouhin PN because all of mine are from 2013 and later. As a top tier DD wine club member, I pay $100+ for the current release of Louise, so I ignored what else was in the lot with it. The Panther Creek Lazy River actually reviewed well in 2014, so maybe I won't have to use it for cooking.

I am always happy to get more Louis Michel Chablis.

Which just goes to show that you can’t keep a good man down!

[stefan]

Oops! I did not win as many as I thought. I lost on

6 1998 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurene
and
1 2001 Rieussec + 1 2001 Suduiraut + 1 1983 Doisy Vedrines + 1 1987 Maitre d'Estournel Blanc.

Oh, well, that gives me an excuse to buy more on Berserkers Day.

[JimHow]

More 2014 Duhart Milon and 2014 Leoville Barton added to the cellar, can’t get enough. At the UGC in Montreal I mentioned several times that I liked the 2014 version of particular wines and several of the winemakers said they liked the 2014 vintage. I absolutely love the classic character of this vintage.

I can’t remember who it was, I think it was a right banker, or maybe SHL, I asked the winemaker what the percentage was, he said 13%, and then chucked: “Is that good or bad?”

I wonder how 2021 will compare to a vintage like 2014.

[jckba]

While fresh and classically styled with lower in AbVs, the wines largely lacked in both depth and character with many verging on dilute, so if I think I would be inclined to say it was closer to 2013 in style than 2014. My 2 cents.

[Chateau Vin]

Lately, some miscellaneous stuff...

2020 Lynch Bages - 1
2020 Cos Labory - 1
2020 Duhart - 2
2020 Sociando - 2
2019 Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse - 1

2019 Bruno Giacosa Falletto - 1
2015 Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice - 2
2020 Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Concerto Super Tuscan - 2
2013 Guido Porro Lazzairasco - 1
2013 Guido Porro Vigna Santa caterina - 1
2001 Gigi Rosso Arione - 1

2020 Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenehr Kabinett Gold Cap - 4
2020 Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett 3
2017 Markus Molitor Gracher Himmelreich Spatlese Green Cap - 1

2018 Joseph Voillot Volnay Champans - 2
2015 Bouzereau Volnay Champns - 1
2019 Marcel Lapierre Morgon MMIX - 2
2018 Patricia Green Ribbon Ridge Old Vine (375ml) - 1

[stefan]

Berserker Day purchases:

Longplay (18 bottles):
1 Chardonnay 4 pack
1 Longplay Berserker Pinot Nerdical
2 2016 Berserker Pack

Goodfellow (42 bottles):
1 Monopole Cru sparkling offer
2 “The John Brochu”
2 “The Austin Bell”
2 “The Todd Hamina”

+ several non wine items.

1.27.24 BD extended:
Added one six pack of Gautheron and Collet 1er Cru Chablis from Ansonia.

[Comte Flaneur]

2017 Domaine Julien Gerard & Fils, Nuits-Saint-Georges x 2

2015 Camille Giroud, Marsannay, Longeroies Rouge 6x75cl 1 £120
2021 Thomas Morey, Bourgogne, Blanc 6x75cl 1 £100
2016 Domaine Henri Magnien, Bourgogne, Pinot Noir Moutier 1x75cl 1 £13
2021 Triennes, Rose, Var IGP 1x75cl 2 £14
2018 Fogliati, Barolo Treturne 1x75cl 2 £40

Chateau Haut Marbuzet Magnum 1995 × 1
Grosset Springvale Riesling 2015 × 1
Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Rosa 1974 × 1

Laurent Perrier, Grand Siecle Iteration N 26 x 6

Lopez de Haro Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva 2012 x 2

Samuel Billaud Chablis 2022 x 12

Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee 2013 x 3

Le Soula Blanc, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes 2016 + 1 x 2017

Ch Tahbilk Cabernet Shiraz Old Vines 2017 x 2

[Comte Flaneur]

6 x Lynch Bages 2009 for £700 in bond

[stefan]

Good price on the Lynch, Ian. Lowest price in the USA is $194.

[JimHow]

I wonder if Pauillac is a sweet spot in 2009, I had a 2009 d'Armailhac last year that was splendid.

[Comte Flaneur]

That was too good a price not to bite stefan. And it was from Berry Brothers too, wine merchants for HRH and the Royal Family.
Jim I was thinking about moving some 2009s up the drinking queue. I was looking through my storage inventory tonight and saw I have a case of Clerc Milon 2009, which piqued my interest.