Question for Ken

[Cam]

Already brought loads of wine, but I need help selecting a very very good Bordeaux, usually I'd go for Chateau Margaux, thought you could advise me on some others, Gran-Cru if possible, if you don't know, anyone else who's willing, try not to make it too expensive..

[Colt45]

» a very very good Bordeaux, try not to make it too expensive..

»

That could be difficult.

» anyone else who's willing,

»

From Margaux, I was able to pick up some 2000 Chateau Dauzac (5th growth) for

less than $30 U.S. I really like St. Julien, but unfortunately even the second wines

of some some producers have become very pricey. Same for Pauillac.

Not a grand cru, but a grand vin from St. Emilion, I've had good luck with

Chateau La Sablonniere - under $20 U.S.

If you find a very very good Bordeaux that's inexpensive, let us know.

[El Presidente]

Cam

A a very very good Bordeaux is very very expensive

Ken may not get to your post before you leave but touch base with him when you get back and he will give you a list to keep an eye out for and also perhaps some importers in NZ.

[Ken Gargett]

no idea re importers in nz but if you visit the top bottleshops regularly, you'll often end up on 'first-go' lists for things that come in.

yes, good luck with that 'top bordeaux but cheap' search.

the top '03s were very expensive but now look cheap against the '05s. the en primeur lists for 06 will be out soon. word is this is a lesser vintage so prices could come down. this is usually the cheapest way to buy but in some years - like 97 - you can get caught if the vintage turns out a lesser one and prices drop. it is definitely the best for the great years.

04 seems a little underrated so you might get some bargains.

from 03, which you might find in the top stores, the first growths are brilliant. margaux certainly great (if you are buying margaux then you are not buying cheap anyway). latour the best of the vintage for me. lafite also stunning. leoville las cases the best of the seconds i've seen. stunning. st estephe seems to be a very successful commune so cos and montrose have done brilliantly. to be honest, i believe that once you start getting much below that, with a few exceptions, better to go with top cabs from elsewhere. cullens and moss wood as just two that crap over anything priced similiarly (approx $70 to $100).

[Cam]

I was reffering to prices of supreme vintages, and ok I really don't care how much I spend anymore, I just got a 1964 Chateau Margaux, terrible vintage, but bottle seemed excellent to the nose, taste was bland and acidic, much like the terrible vintages are, I got a bottle of the 1980 today for 360 euros, beautiful, and an 1884 has come up for sale, but at 23 thousand euros, it can wait as regards to Saint émillion, i can get you some vintage bottles for 11-20 euros each, whoevers interested, and the very very good wine here, from Alsace isn't badly priced, but the Chateau Bordeaux series are terrible prices,

thanks for your suggestions guys,

keep them coming please,

Cam -

[Cam]

» If you find a very very good Bordeaux that's inexpensive, let us know.

and I have 22 euros for a Saint Emillion, 2002, grand cru, a bit young, but excellent colour and taste, flowery and ok notes to the nose, im amazed!!!

and if you guys want to try some excellent non Bordeaux wine, try the Chateau Neuf-du-pape.

Cam -

[Colt45]

» and if you guys want to try some excellent non Bordeaux wine, try the

» Chateau Neuf-du-pape.

»

From France, I drink and enjoy more southern rhones than I do from any other

region. I like CdP, but also really enjoy Gigondas, and am quite happy with a

well made Cotes du Rhone.

[Cam]

gigondas is amazing for the price, does not sit well, and not reccomended for aging, cotes du rhone also, very very good wine, complex flavour, awesome pale red ruby color from the 2000 vintage, ready to drink now, Lafite-Rothschilde is awesome, haut-médoc from the area is great value at 20 euros a bottle sit well for 20-30 years also.

[jqmunro]

some good ones(not so expensive) from 2000:

Branaire Ducru-St Julien,

Beausejour Duffau Lagarosse-St Emilion,

La Gaffeliere - St Emilion,

Lynsolence - St Emilion,

l'Hermitage - St. Emilion,

unfortunately, you're a bit restricted to the right bank when looking for inexpensive bordeaux

[jqmunro]

.

[Ken Gargett]

» I was reffering to prices of supreme vintages, and ok I really don't care

» how much I spend anymore, I just got a 1964 Chateau Margaux, terrible

» vintage, but bottle seemed excellent to the nose, taste was bland and

» acidic, much like the terrible vintages are, I got a bottle of the 1980

» today for 360 euros, beautiful, and an 1884 has come up for sale, but at

» 23 thousand euros, it can wait as regards to Saint émillion, i can get

» you some vintage bottles for 11-20 euros each, whoevers interested, and

» the very very good wine here, from Alsace isn't badly priced, but the

» Chateau Bordeaux series are terrible prices,

»

» thanks for your suggestions guys,

»

» keep them coming please,

»

» Cam -

'64 depended on when you picked as in pre or post rain, if memory serves. latour got it right and is terrific. suspect that margaux a big gamble. between '61 and '78 (exclusive), margaux was a shadow of what it should be. then the sale and now it is always one of the best of the firsts.

1980 would be a vintage where almost all should be drunk asap, i would think.

as for the 1884, can't help you but the 1893 was drinking magnificently a few years ago.

[Cam]

I heard the 1893 is a good vinatge from a friend in auckland, but I tried a Lafite this morning from 1993, drank very very well, supreme wine for the age, which is relatively young for a Rothschilde.