WTN: under $30 Bdx, Burg

Saturday Betsy was playing in NJ, I made a steak, some quick coucous, and some spinach. Decided to try 2 375s of Bordeaux, as a little comparison:

2003 Ch,. Meyney (St. Estephe)
This was actually opened night before, on opening was a big load of oak and tannins over some red fruit. Better on night 2, red plum and cassis intertwined with coffee aromas. Low-acid, ok length. Most "modern" styled young Meyney I've ever tasted, this is probably better than any Meyney I've tasted since 1995, but I'm thinking not up to the quality level of the pre-'90 ones. Still, certainly a servicable Bordeaux. B

2004 Ch. d'Auguilhe (Cotes de Castillon)
Another modern/internationally styled wine,but maybe because more in my expectations it didn't bother me as much. Crushed dark berries, black plum, some vanilla. Despite the styling some rather classic Bordeaux soil notes come through. Good length, holds up well overnight, ok buy for I think $11/half. B/B+

Sunday I started a recipe for Betsy that she finished when she came home from concert. Simmered a chicken with onion, cinnamon, allspice, and cardoman. Betsy then made frika (aka ferik), a parched wheat that is cooked like risotto. Then the chicken and frika are baked together (Syrian recipe, she had recently gone to a Syrian market). Served with Swiss chard. Wine was the 2005 Michel Lafarge Bourgogne rouge, wow. Ranks up with the 1999 as my favorite vintage of this, just a lovely wine. This is upper $20s now, but in today's market I'd call a screaming buy. Big for a Bourgogne, broad ripe black cherry fruit, some tannins. Nose has floral notes, this is a dead ringer for a good young Volnay. Great length, a pure finish with a light ferric notes, hints of bitter chocolate. Very tasty now, but when I get my other bottles I plan on putting away. I thought that the Lafarge Volnays were priced beyond what I would pay, but if this is the Bourgogne I might have to reconsider. A-

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency

I am a fan of the Chateau d'Aiguilhe. I just can't tell the difference between each vintage. It's good and has some Bordeaux typicality, but for my money is a little formulaic.

Thanks for the heads up on the Lafarge.

I have yet to taste a balanced 2003 Bordeaux, most of them have had too much oak or smoke, or alcohol, or something else out of balance.

Thanks for the tip on the Burg!

Thanks Dale. The 2005 Lafarge is available locally for 26. I'm going for it.

RC

Ramon,
I see 2 '05 Lafarges for $26 in NY on Winesearcher. The one at CSW is not the Bourgogne rouge, but the Passetoutgrains (Gamay/PN blend, I think Lafarge makes one of the best PTG, but be aware it's not the one I was talking about, it should be a lighter wine). Zachys is listed as having the Bourgogne, but that was a sale that ended Sunday, and I bought the last bottle they had in stock (believe me, I had the guys look!). I have some others coming from Post I paid $29 for, and I think that's a very fair price for what's in bottle.

Dale,

Thanks for clarifying. That helps.
I see that Astor has it for 29.99. But, where or what is Post?

Ramon,
Post is Post Wines in Syosset. Good store overall, worth being on mailing list for January clearance sale. Alan Marstok who used to be at Rochambeau is an owner. Postwines.com.
Doesn't look like they have more of the '05 Lafarge on website. Sorry.