So what have you bought lately?

[JimHow]

Lol... Done, but now I need a generator, we had a big storm the last couple days.
The good news though is best viewing of the eclipse is going to be in the Great state of Maine.

[jckba]

Did you feel the earthquake all the way up in Maine?

I was working from home and on a conference call and several of us on the call were all like, was that … until it was perfectly clear that it was the ground that was shaking.

[JimHow]

Scary. No we didn’t feel anything up here as far as I’m aware. I guess some people felt it in Portland. I did hear something and thought it might be snow falling from the roof.

[Nicklasss]

5 x 1989 Chateau Lynch Bages.

You talked me into it, Nicola.
I am mad. I am a madman.

I wish i could do that.

I thought you could need some help, but now i’m fully conviced that no.

[DavidG]

Lucie agreed that we can substitute Champagne

Was there ever any doubt?

[marcs]

A case of 2006 Conseillante for $110/bottle.

Perhaps an excessive number of bottles given my pace of drinking - this is a good but not great year for Conseillante that has probably a solid decade left on it, maybe more

[JimHow]

12 x 2020 La Lagune

[Nicklasss]

A few varied dry whites like
2021 Gueguen Chablis
2022 Séguinot-Bordet Chablis
2021 Domaine Huard Pure (chardo + sauv blanc)
2022 Volpaia Vermentino
2022 Catena chenin + semillon(quite good actually)

And influenced by Comte Flaneur recent North Rhône dinner, and his thrilling Cornas flight…

3 x 2021 Johann Michel Cornas. First bottle was sublime!

[stefan]

6 1970 Nameless Wine (375)
3 1962 Nameless Wine
2 1961 Nameless Wine

Three wines we liked in the 1970s. The 1962 was the wine that got us started on drinking fine Bordeaux. I know I am throwing away money on swill, but Lucie insisted, for old times sake.

[JimHow]

Well done. Very well done indeed!

[PghMike]

6x OWC of 2023 Pontet. Probably won't buy many this year but couldn't resist.

[Ianjaig]

1x La Lagune 2010
2x Pontet Canet 2012

All 3 bought at Auction.

[Ianjaig]

6x OWC of 2023 Pontet. Probably won't buy many this year but couldn't resist.

Nice purchases by the way. I see the 23 PC is getting very high praise from the critics this year. At 27%(?) lower price than the 22, I may have to pull the trigger on some myself.

[JimHow]

I see 2023 Mouton is coming out at like $440?

[Ianjaig]

Yep, Mouton is 34% down from 2022 apparently. LLC even more at 47% I understand (though that is perhaps more of a reflection of LLC's obscene 2022 price). Will be interesting to see if these discounts are enough to entice buyers back to EP or not as a recalibration is long overdue IMO...

[JimHow]

12 x 2019 Cantemerle
12 x 2020 Cantemerle

The 2020 is down to $28 at Saratoga.

[Nicklasss]

Mostly inexpensive dry white wines, red and bubbly.

2023 Château de Maligny Vigne de la Reine Chablis
2022 Jean-Marc Brocard Sainte Claire Chablis
2022 Domaine Vacheron Chablis
2019 Domaine Giroux Pouilly-Loché

2021 Laurens Clos des Moiselles Brut
NV Domaine d’Orfeuilles Brut Vouvray

2021 Domaine Les Garçons Brouilly
2020 Château le Puy Émilien

[jckba]

Not biting on 2023 Futures and instead doing a little backfilling like Jim but for Giscours with case quantities of the ‘19 and ‘20 for the cellar.

[JimHow]

Well done, JC. Very well done indeed.

[JimHow]

1 x 2022 Domaine de la Cote Bloom's Field
1 x 2022 Domaine de la Cote Memorious
1 x 2022 Domaine de la Cote "DDLC" Estate

[JimHow]

2 x 2020 Pontet Canet
2 x 2019 Pontet Canet
2 x 2019 Branaire Ducru
2 x 2020 Branaire Ducru
2 x 2020 Talbot
2 x 2019 Phelan Segur
2 x 2020 Phelan Segur
1 x 2014 Larcis Ducasse
1 x 2019 Larcis Ducasse
4 x 2019 Meyney
4 x 2020 Meyney

[JimHow]

12 x 2020 Felsina Berardenga Chianti

[stefan]

Looks like you will win the BWE Buyer of the Month award for May, Jim. Congratulations!

As for me, I am taking the month off. Our Oregon house is already low in empty space for wine. I would have to buy another wine fridge if I went on another buying spree.

[Nicklasss]

2 bottles of 2018 Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon.

[jckba]

2000 Giscours

As I need some Giscours for current drinking.

[JimHow]

1 x 2019 St. Innocent Shea
1 x 2019 St. Innocent Freedom Hill
1 x 2019 St. Innocent Temperance Hill
7 x 2019 St. Innocent Momtazi
2 x 2020 St. Innocent Freedom Hill Chardonnay

[JCNorthway]

12 x 2021 Felsina Chianti Classico

I've bought at least a case of most vintages since 2007, and I see no reason to stop (except for my increasing age). Although they are a large producer, the quality is very consistent year over year. I've also bought the Riserva and the Riserva Rancia in recent vintages. However, reviews of 2019 and 2020 Rancia have been "tepid," so I have passed on both.

[JimHow]

I think that’s an accurate assessment Jon based on my very limited anecdotal tastes of those wines. I really like the basic 2020 Felsina Chianti. The 2019 Rancia seemed harsh, although I’m wondering if it was just too young. I liked the 2021 Felsina Chianti as well but I think I like the 2020 a notch better.

[Nicklasss]

2 bottles 2019 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

[JimHow]

3 x 2017 Dal Forno Romano Amarone.

[JimHow]

Many know my story of my experience with the 1988 Dal Forno Romano Amarone in the Boston north end, circa 1998, my “greatest wine experience ever.” I’m happy to have three bottles of the 2017 vintage, at current prices the last bottles of this wine I’ll likely ever own…

[JimHow]

5 x 2020 Branaire Ducru
4 x 2020 d'Armailhac
1 x 2020 Giscours
4 x 2019 Labegorce
4 x 2020 Labegorce
1 x 2020 Siran
1 x 2019 Troplong Mondot
1 x 2020 Troplong Mondot
1 x 2020 Clos de l'Oratoire
1 x 2020 Beau Séjour Bécot
1 x 2019 Beausejour Duffau

[Nicklasss]

I don’t know what have change, but you’re in fire in 2024 Jim!

[JimHow]

I’ve been so impressed with these wines, Nicola, and the pricing is rational.

Query:

2019 and 2020: Best back to back vintages in the history of Bordeaux?

[stefan]

St. Innocent Spring Club Order
1 2019 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard
4 2019 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard
1 2020 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard
4 2021 Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard
2 2022 Riesling Temperance Hill Vineyard

3 1988 Rieussec

[stefan]

4 1979 du Tertre

[Comte Flaneur]

I was tempted to buy some halves of 2023 Pichon Lalande as a contender for wotv at £680/12 halves in bond, but opted instead to buy 24 halves of 2020 Giscours for £450 ib. The 2020 is the best Giscours I have ever tried, even eclipsing the legends of the 1970s.

I then had a rush of blood to the head and bought a sixpack of 2016 L’Eglise Clinet for £1100 ib, significantly below the release price for the 2023. And then straight after a sixpack of the 2012 for £930ib, which WK rates 100 points. I now need to take a cold shower.

[marcs]

If I had it all to do over the majority of my collection would be 375s…

[stefan]

>>
f I had it all to do over the majority of my collection would be 375s
>>

Why, Marcus? 375s take up the same space as 750s unless you have specially designed storage. I like to have a few 375s for the rare occasion that I am drinking by myself and also to see how a wine is coming along, but I don't see any reason to hold a lot of 375s.

Ian, why did you buy so many 375s of 2020 Giscours?

[JimHow]

There was a popular restaurant owner in Manhattan who died at a young age around 2005. He had enormous numbers of cases of Bordeaux and Burgundy, large quantities in magnum format. He believed that magnum was the best size for aging and drinking. His wife auctioned the cellar after his death and it was a very hot auction event because of the provenance of the wines. Huge quantities of cases of magnums.

I'm not big on half bottles, it's not enough for me. I have unusual drinking habits in that I try to drink only once or twice per week but when I do I can drink a whole bottle. My friend does not really drink so when I do Zoom dinners I don't drink, but I don't mind uncorking a bottle at the end of a long week in court, putting on some music, chilling out with a good steak and unwinding. A half bottle would be very unfulfilling for me on such evenings.