2004-2006 Bordeaux Reccomendations

Was going to get some of the 2009 bordeaux futures. Then decided i would refocus on picking up some of the 2004-2005's that still remained on the shelves. There seems to be a good selection remaining at a number of the large wine outlets. The price range is the $35-100 per bottle window. The 2005's are excellent and now a known quantity versus 2009 futures. The 2004 and 2006 vintage bordeaux seems to have gotten lost in the 2005 appeal. i wonder if a number of the merchants have a good price on the 2004-2006 wines, with the 2009 highly rated vintage just around the corner. I am not a collector but a drinker, seeking wines that are good but also have some potential to get better. thoughts?

Most of the '04's are very nice, classic, and early drinking. Fairly priced too. I've not had a bad one and I would use Cellartracker.com to determine the approachability. Use a long decant (3-4 hrs. or more) if you want to drink now. This tends to be an overlooked vintage, much like the '02's (which are still not ready IMO). I have enjoyed the '04 Pavie-MacQuin, St. Emilion GCC, and the '04 Leoville-Poyferre', St. Julien, both (with a decant) were lovely. The '04 Brane-Cantenac, Margaux, was another stunning wine, while the '04 Clerc-Milon was shut-down. The '04 Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc,is very accessible now (unusual for that chateau). Please report back on what you find and buy.

thank you for the reccomendations. I have been collecting the Sociondo Mallet for years. Had seen the Ch. Pavie McQuin. I am amazed at the range of price on this wine. My local place has it at $80 and can difind it at a reputable online place at $52. I wil let you know what i decide on. thanks.

[Jenise]

In addition to those Richard mentions, Duhart Milon and Palmer were fantastic in 04. I got a considerable stash of the DM, in fact, at $20ish per bottle--quite the bargain.

[Jenise]

Oh, wanted to add: Bill, you didn't mention 2007, but check out this thread about the 07 Bordeauxs. As a "drinker, not a collector", this vintage should hold a lot of interest for you.

http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=29858&p=253897&hilit=+2007+Bordeaux+Covert#p253897

Completely agree with Jenise's recommendation on the 2004 Palmer. It has gotten pricey, but worth seeking out for any one-off sale price where you may feel comfortable to buy at.
Also, personally stocked up on the '04 Brane Cantenac which I also liked when I tasted at release.

As for 2005, I went mostly Right Bank. I recently received a local NY email selling Ch. Clinet at $70s'. I actually purchased on futures at a higher price and then brought a bottle to a 2005 Bdx Horizontal a couple of years ago and the wine took WOTN honors. Many current 2005 pricing seem to be at or below release pricing nowadays.

I also liked the 2006 Lynch Bages during a 2006 Horizontal tasting last year. It might have been my WOTN. I haven't bought any 2006, but if I ever do, this wil be in my shopping cart.

2006 - I'm with Ramon re Lynch Bages (because I tasted it with him!). Wine Connection has de Sales for less than $19, good for price.

2005- got Lagrange (StJ) recently for $40. I'd jump at Clinet at price mentioned, it was my favorite at a midtier 05 horizontal (as Ramon referenced). I also liked Haut-Bailly and Issan.

2004- Margaux AC did particularly well. Ch Margaux is great though out of your range, but Palmer, Issan, Brane Cantenac all overachieve. I also really liked VCC and Ducru. Cos maybe.

Of course, a lot depends on your style preferences

[Jenise]

Ramon, the typical price these days on the 04 Palmer is $150, but Winesearcher shows two retailers in Connecticutt and California selling it for $109 and 116 respectively. Pretty fair considering I paid $90 3-4 years ago.

the typical price these days on the 04 Palmer is $150, but Winesearcher shows two retailers in Connecticutt and California selling it for $109 and 116 respectively. Pretty fair considering I paid $90 3-4 years ago.

Not trying to create a controversy, but why would the average person pay $100 for a bottle of wine? I've recently paid for $20 for '05 La Tour Carnet and $22 for '05 Camensac. I was shaking in my boots when I sheepishly bought an '06 Lagrange for $40. Would someone making less that $100,000 pay $100 for a bottle of wine, that will last 1 hour (once it is opened)? Good Burgundy can be had for $30-$75 and good Bordeaux (all-be-it less than stellar vintages) can be had for well under $50. I certainly would not begrudge someone with the funds from indulging in $100+ wine, but it is not in my play book. Should this be another thread?

I want second Jenise's recommendations as well. I would also look at all vintages 04, 05, 06 of chasse spleen which is still between $30 to $40 for all vintages. Poujeaux's should all be under $40 for all vintages. For a Right Bank suggestion in the price range of sub $40, Grand Pontet.

the typical price these days on the 04 Palmer is $150, but Winesearcher shows two retailers in Connecticutt and California selling it for $109 and 116 respectively. Pretty fair considering I paid $90 3-4 years ago.

Not trying to create a controversy, but why would the average person pay $100 for a bottle of wine? I've recently paid for $20 for '05 La Tour Carnet and $22 for '05 Camensac. I was shaking in my boots when I sheepishly bought an '06 Lagrange for $40. Would someone making less that $100,000 pay $100 for a bottle of wine, that will last 1 hour (once it is opened)? Good Burgundy can be had for $30-$75 and good Bordeaux (all-be-it less than stellar vintages) can be had for well under $50. I certainly would not begrudge someone with the funds from indulging in $100+ wine, but it is not in my play book. Should this be another thread?

I'm an average person, making less than $100,000 a year, and I have spent more than $100 quite a few times (not regularly, but also not one-time events). Why can I not choose how to spend my money? I buy clothes in thrift shops, drive a 96 Corolla, get 3 haircuts a year at Supercuts ($12, minus $2 coupon, plus $3 tip). But I chose to occasionally splurge on wine I really want. I don't think there is anything wrong with someone who wants a new car every 3 years, buys $120 sneakers or $100 sweaters, goes to Monsieur Poofys Hair Salon. I don't see any wines on market for under $100 that I think will give me same experience as 83 Cheval, 59 Talbot, 01 Haut Brion.

While I'm not a big Bdx buyer, I've been looking for solid value stuff along the lines of what's discussed here. Some of these tips are really useful, thanks.

A few that I've found/bought in the past year as well - '04 Grand Puy Ducasse and '06 Haut-Bergey in the $30-40 range, '06 Canon at around $60. In the same price range I've also found some places still holding '01s (which I've generally liked - both in terms of quality and more reasonable prices). Bought '01 Domaine de Chevalier recently in halves for $22/per (HDH still seems to have fulls) and '01 Pagodes de Cos.

I'm an average person, making less than $100,000 a year, and I have spent more than $100 quite a few times (not regularly, but also not one-time events). Why can I not choose how to spend my money? I buy clothes in thrift shops, drive a 96 Corolla, get 3 haircuts a year at Supercuts ($12, minus $2 coupon, plus $3 tip). But I chose to occasionally splurge on wine I really want. I don't think there is anything wrong with someone who wants a new car every 3 years, buys $120 sneakers or $100 sweaters, goes to Monsieur Poofys Hair Salon. I don't see any wines on market for under $100 that I think will give me same experience as 83 Cheval, 59 Talbot, 01 Haut Brion.

Dale,
I am in no way disparaging your wine buying habits, on the contrary, I very much enjoy your extensive and dedicated wine selections and tasting notes. I was only speaking from my perspective and maybe churning the forum a little. I have two daughters (that both seem to have trouble terminating their educations) and neither are married. I am going to (and still have) more to spend money on than I can keep track of. My query was posed to the average person (much like me) that simply cannot justify $100 bottles of wine, particularly when there are, for all intense an purposes, equally good wine for much less. I envy the person that can plumb the depths of the worlds greatest wines, and I do admire your dedication and persistence towards understanding and appreciating excellence. Never did I imply that there was something wrong with a dedication to wine, on the contrary, I am envious!