Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

Here are some of the 2015 wines in the Neal Martin issue that appeal to me.
I wonder what the pricing will be like en futuro?

Barde-Haut
Cantemerle
Clos de l'Oratoire
Corbin
Gazin
Giscours
Gloria
Grand Puy Lacoste
d'Issan
Joanin Becot
Labegorce
Lanessan
Maucaillou
La Tour Carnet

I received Daniel Posner's (of Grape the Wine Company) 1st 2015 Bordeaux offer this morning and included in the offer was the Gazin in the following formats. I can forward you the email if interested.

2015 Ch Gazin Pomerol
Grapes Sale Price: $34.99/half btl
Grapes Sale Price: $63.99/btl
Grapes Sale Price: $135/magnum
WA 94-96

I too have been giving some thought as to what to buy on futures and I think the questiob boils down to whether these wines will be more expensive in 2 years than they are now.

I'd assume pricing will be somewhat less than 2009, 2010 current levels.

I didn't see that he reviewed Fleur Cardinale and La Fleur de Bouard, two of my new-found favorites.

There are reviews in the online version. Upside is 91 pts or so according to NM for both.

NM gave barrel tasting scores of (89-91) for the 2015 La Fleur de Bouard and of (90-92) for the 2015 Fleur Cardinale according to what has been posted on the chateauprimeur website and also compared to 92 and 94 from Jeff Leve respectively. It would seem to me that NM doesn't get wooed as much by the more modern offerings as did his predecessor.

Indeed jckba, that was my observation reading through his report. Looks like we're going to have to do a little re-calibrating!

JimHow wrote:Here are some of the 2015 wines in the Neal Martin issue that appeal to me.
I wonder what the pricing will be like en futuro?

Barde-Haut
Cantemerle
Clos de l'Oratoire
Corbin
Gazin
Giscours
Gloria
Grand Puy Lacoste
d'Issan
Joanin Becot
Labegorce
Lanessan
Maucaillou
La Tour Carnet

who is using Jim's account?

Lol… I liked the 2012, I just ordered a couple more bottles.
I want to see if it's an aberration.

Haut-Bergey $22. Seems like a can't miss QPR.

I am going to wait and taste the '14's in bottle before I buy any bordeaux beyond that year. Not that much downside in waiting, IMHO...other than formats, of course.

I noticed that Neal Martin did not review the 2015 Haut Bergey in the hard copy of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
What is up with this guy?

Where are you seeing 2015 Haut Bergey for $22 Hound?

K&L

Suckler gave the Ch. Tour St. Christophe 95-96 points. It's a St. Emilion Grand Cru. He's not leaving himself much room for the classed growths. I guess they'll all get about 98-100 points.

Geez that's what I paid for the excellent 2012 Haut Bergey at MacArthur's.

AlohaArtakaHoundsong wrote:Haut-Bergey $22. Seems like a can't miss QPR.

Wow, that is appealing. Even if the style isn't quite in one's wheel house, how can you go wrong for $22? I have a bunch of 2005 Haut Bergey, maybe I need to give one a test drive soon.

Do that, Patrick. We have already drunk most of ours. Sure, for my taste it will improve, but the upside of holding a lot is small.

JimHow wrote:I noticed that Neal Martin did not review the 2015 Haut Bergey in the hard copy of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
What is up with this guy?

Where are you seeing 2015 Haut Bergey for $22 Hound?

In the online version he had an uncomplimentary review, with a "?" as the score.

JimHow wrote:Here are some of the 2015 wines in the Neal Martin issue that appeal to me.
I wonder what the pricing will be like en futuro?

Barde-Haut
Cantemerle
Clos de l'Oratoire
Corbin
Gazin
Giscours
Gloria
Grand Puy Lacoste
d'Issan
Joanin Becot
Labegorce
Lanessan
Maucaillou
La Tour Carnet

While most of those are very nice wines, I am not sure you NEED to buy them as futures. It is unlikely they will move in price. Do you like La Tour Carnet Jim?

Yes I have enjoyed the 2005 (drunk 11 out of 12 bottles of a case) and 2010 La Tour Carnets.

The 2000 La Tour Carnet is excellent and drinking very well now. It will last a long time too.

stefan wrote:Do that, Patrick. We have already drunk most of ours. Sure, for my taste it will improve, but the upside of holding a lot is small.

I coravined a bottle of the 2005 Haut Bergey last night. Pretty nice stuff for $25, and completely wide open. Seems merlot heavy, it is fairly soft and round, but not OTT or oaky. Definitely on the modern end of things and built to drink young (by Bordeaux standards). Wonder if this will develop any complexity with more age? I have 6 more so I'll probably find out. Overall, a satisfying quaff.

Sounds like the time has come to crack open my case of 2005 Haut Bergey.
I was afraid that this was a wine that was not going to improve with age, your note gives me more concern.

JimHow wrote:Sounds like the time has come to crack open my case of 2005 Haut Bergey.
I was afraid that this was a wine that was not going to improve with age, your note gives me more concern.

I'm drinking the rest of the bottle now. Jim, open your case ASAP. This is delicious (if simple), and it's wide open now (might even be getting soft by your preferences).

That all said, this isn't going to fall apart any time soon, but doubtful upside on sitting on this longer.

PS. This is a wine Jeff Leve are completely one the same page on.

I will indeed.
I think I'll crack open the 2005 Barde Haut as well...

Glad you tried it, Patrick. My guess is that the 2005 Haut Bergey will develop more complexity as it ages. On the other hand, it will lose fruit and not enter the top class of Graves, so why make a deliberate attempt to age it? I'll continue to drink it and others like it when the setting is right, but keep one or two bottles out of curiosity as to what it will become.

Yes, it would be educational to see how this develops. I'll hold a few back as well ITNOS.

Anyone try the 2009 or 2010 versions of this?

Both the 2009 and 2010 are quality Haut Bergeys, they are what you would expect from each vintage, the 2009 up front and forward, the 2010 more structured. I have drunk numerous bottles of each, if forced I would give a slight nod to the 2010.

Thanks, I may pop a 2009 while reading your How To Drink A Young Wine post. Will hold the 2010s for now.

So the 2009 Haut Bergey is very approachable. Despite my avowed aged Bordeaux allegiance, I found it quite enjoyable when following the Jim How manual on how to enjoy young wines. A prime grilled ribeye no doubt helped. I've got a half-case and wouldn't mind drinking them at this stage of their evolution.

Very nicely done, David G, I don't have to be in court tomorrow morning, I think I'll uncork a Bernard Magrez wine tonight with a pork chop.

Jim, now that I am acclimated to young 2010 Brunello, I can see trying a 2010 Bordeaux. I have a case of 2010 Haut Bergey. You tempt me to crack it open.

Last night we drank 1998 Gazin and 2003 Lagrange. I do not find either of these wines too young, and both are very good. Maybe my taste buds have declined. Even the 2013 Carlisle Sonoma Coast Zin was fine, as was a 2011 Ridge Syrah, though of course neither was in the class of the Bordeaux.

I have had about a case of 2009 Haut Bergey and about six bottles of 2010 Haut Bergey. They're both lovely wines. Nothing profound, mind you, but pleasant Bordeauxs, especially for the price, and I actually find them quite true to Pessac and their respective vintages. While someone like me finds the 2010 very drinkable, however, I think most would find the 2009 "in a better place at this point." But, Stefan, if you employ the Jim How Young Wine Drinking Technique, I am sure you will find the structured 2010 Haut Bergey quite enjoyable.

I loved the 1998 Gazin in its infancy. I thought it was a BIG wine back then.

We need a shorthand term for "The Jim How Young Wine Drinking Technique."

It should pay homage to its inventor and principal promoter, similar to the use of "Audouze" when referring to slow oxygenation.

What about "How?"
"I just couldn't resist the temptation of that 2009 Haut Bergey resting in the cellar, so I Howed it."

And while we're at it, we need a shorthand term for rapidly demolishing a whole case shortly after opening it.

I know - "Howitzer!"
"I enjoyed that 2009 Haut Bergey so much that I Howitzered the entire case."

Ha I like it!