WTN: 1999 Ch. Lafon-Rochet, St. Estephe

What's wrong with the younger generation these days? My middle son, Tim, who lives at home with me, went to the casino today and won $1,500. So, on the way home he stops at the best wine store in the area and buys a bottle of 1999 Ch. Lafon-Rochet, St. Estephe. Then he stops at the butcher shop and picks up two Black Angus Delmonico steaks, comes home and says "Hey Dad - I bought tonight's dinner". So, I made some French onion soup, baked some bread and and potatoes and fired up the charcoal grill. He also bought canolis, but I think we'll have them for breakfast. But I digress... and I will digress some more. Sometimes one needs a smack upside the head and this was it. Just yesterday I was thinking to myself about starting a thread on the subject of "Are expensive Bordeaux's worth it?", with all the wonderful PNs, Gamays and Italian reds I've had over time. Damn, this was a very enjoyable wine. And apparently not all that expensive ($40). I've had several better Bordeaux's, but this was solid. My AWS vintage chart says the '99s are in the "drink now" stage and don't rate the vintage highly. Still a bit of purple tinge at the edge of the glass. Not an overwhelming bouquet, but a classic nose of saddle (brings back memories of polishing shoes at Parris Island) and cigar box, with hints of licorice, cinnamon and smoke. Good tannins and acid with a medium-long finish. I needed this wine and will not bother posting that thread.

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks for the note Howie.

Your question is still valid, and of course timely given the pricing comng out for 2009.

[Jenise]

My AWS vintage chart says the '99s are in the "drink now" stage and don't rate the vintage highly.

What you have to keep in mind is that those vintage charts will never rate a vintage where the majority of top wines don't have 20-30 year plus aging potential, which fails to reflect exactly how many wines are not only excellent but especially charming in their relative youth. Also neccessary: you've gotta drink something while you're waiting for the so-called better vintages to mature. 1999 produced some gems.

[David M. Bueker]

My AWS vintage chart says the '99s are in the "drink now" stage and don't rate the vintage highly.

What you have to keep in mind is that those vintage charts will never rate a vintage where the majority of top wines don't have 20-30 year plus aging potential, which fails to reflect exactly how many wines are not only excellent but especially charming in their relative youth. Also neccessary: you've gotta drink something while you're waiting for the so-called better vintages to mature. 1999 produced some gems.

I love vintage charts! They keep 2001 and 2002 Bordeaux affordable.

Thanks for the replies. Tim picked the wine out based on a shelf-talker and he did a fine job. He's also bought me some nice wines I haven't opened yet - '97 Phelps Insignia, '05 Ch. Duhart-Milon and '05 Ch du Gazin (Fronsac).

Thanks for the replies. Tim picked the wine out based on a shelf-talker and he did a fine job. He's also bought me some nice wines I haven't opened yet - '97 Phelps Insignia, '05 Ch. Duhart-Milon and '05 Ch du Gazin (Fronsac).

Well, he's a chip off the old block, isn't he? Generous, just like his Dad.

Enjoy!
JB