Tell me the truth re: Bordeaux

One of the important "tricks" is to find a good wine store with a knowledgable staff! In D.C. that shouldn't be impossible. MacArthur's maybe? Not really familiar with D.C. Ask for advice from someone who looks like they should know, i.e. not a high school kid working in the place on weekends!

The shop that did it for me is Schneider's Wine Shop up on Capital Hill. Great selection and, most importantly, a friendly staff who might even have something open in the back that Kelly can try before buying. I went in there in 1985 thinking I knew everything which was: the older the wine the better. Jon and Rick Genderson quickly re-educated me and helped me determine what I like and I've been going back ever since..

Kelly,
From your comments, it sounds like you're still trying to "get" Bordeaux, and this would be one avenue to seeing what a mature bottle is supposed to taste like.

...I'm trying to "get" Bordeaux because I have the feeling that I'm supposed to.

Damn straight you better get Bordeaux, particularly if you want to hang with the Parker and the Power Points Crowd!

Seriously, though, Bordeaux is the basis for many a wine geek's initial cellar, as these wines are damn near indescructable and live for decades, and provide pleasure along the way. For myself, I don't know if I felt I had to 'get' Bordeaux, but knew that many folks smarter than me were laying these down for their grandkids so I thought, 'well, maybe I should, too'. And I have. Since the 1985 vintage. (Yeah, didn't get into wine until then and missed the 82 to my regret). Now I don't regularly drink Bordeaux, so the stuff tends to pile up, but I've never bought deeply enough that I need worry it will never get drunk...it'll just take time. Since this stuff lasts near forever, I don't worry about it and can pull out something with age when the moment arises. This is a good thing.

If you are seeking the 'aged' status of Bordeaux, this is the route you will need to take as well, but there is no substituting for your own tastes and passions. You'll be able to find some nice wines at $20-35 that should reward cellaring and show the nice patina of age that Bordeaux takes on with years. These days,, my interests have broadeded out and are a bit eclectic, and I only purchase several Bordeaux a year now, so otheres recommendations are better. If you are just beginning, this is a good time to start, as the economy has created bargains in the 2004's and 2006's, even some age-worthy 2005's are being sold down as well. But, as you are down in DC, ask Mark Wessels at Macarthur's to set you up with a bottle that has some aged characteristics on it. They have an extensive selection of older Bordeaux and I'm sure they will help.

Well I have to say I'm impressed with the level and amount of discourse in this thread. No one even moved to have me tarred or feathered. Unless that is being done in another thread. To clarify, I never doubted Bordeaux's ability to be great, I just doubted my ability, given financial constraints, to experience it. I will take some of the proffered lessons & recommendations to heart.

I have been to MacArthur's though I've spent more time over in the Deutcher und Ostereicher part of the store than Francais, so I'll go back and seek some counsel there. My work is just a few blocks from Schneiders which I frequent so I'll go back there too.

Mr. Peterson, if you want to arrange plying me with come Claret to whip me into shape, I'll not refuse. I'll buy the burgers.

Now about Barolo..........hey stop throwing tomatoes at me.

Well I have to say I'm impressed with the level and amount of discourse in this thread. No one even moved to have me tarred or feathered. Unless that is being done in another thread.

That'll only happen if you speak ill of Riesling.

Well I have to say I'm impressed with the level and amount of discourse in this thread. No one even moved to have me tarred or feathered. Unless that is being done in another thread.

That'll only happen if you speak ill of Riesling.

Es kann nicht sein.

[David M. Bueker]

Damn straight you better get Bordeaux, particularly if you want to hang with the Parker and the Power Points Crowd!

They have moved on. Bordeaux is yesterday's news. It's all Cal Cab and Chateauneuf these days.

Damn straight you better get Bordeaux, particularly if you want to hang with the Parker and the Power Points Crowd!

They have moved on. Bordeaux is yesterday's news. It's all Cal Cab and Chateauneuf these days.

What? No high voltage Pinot Noir any more? What's a poor cultist to do nowadays?

Mark Lipton

[David M. Bueker]

Damn straight you better get Bordeaux, particularly if you want to hang with the Parker and the Power Points Crowd!

They have moved on. Bordeaux is yesterday's news. It's all Cal Cab and Chateauneuf these days.

What? No high voltage Pinot Noir any more? What's a poor cultist to do nowadays?

It was all over for Pinot when Sine Qua Non stopped making one.

They have moved on. Bordeaux is yesterday's news. It's all Cal Cab and Chateauneuf these days.

Two other areas with a distinct problem in the QPR axis IMO.

[David M. Bueker]

They have moved on. Bordeaux is yesterday's news. It's all Cal Cab and Chateauneuf these days.

Two other areas with a distinct problem in the QPR axis IMO.

Which is why I own so little current release of either.

It could be it's just not my thing ...

If you want to love a wine and it doesn't love you back, time to move on to the next thing. If you want aged Bordeaux character without waiting a decade/breaking the bank, find yourself a bottle of Kanonkop "Paul Sauer" 2004. It's South African, it'll run you about $35, and give you lots of pleasure and no grief. Yeah, Decanter gave it some award, but don't let that stop you.

It was all over for Pinot when Sine Qua Non stopped making one.

[snark] How could anyone tell? [/snark]

Mark Lipton