Current thought seems to be that none of the 2011 through 2013 vintages of Bordeaux are even worth buying - however I find it hard to believe that an entire region could fail to produce any wines of quality for three consecutive years regardless of climactic challenges. Given Bordeaux pricing schemes, a number of classified growths are available at far more affordable prices. That said, are there any on the left or right bank that present any opportunities for real value? (quality and price)
Or is it simply better to wait for 2014 futures and hope that prices are set at a more reasonable level?
You’d be nuts to buy futures. Wait until you can taste them, I’m sure there will be some nice drinkers for short and medium-term consumption. The beauty of Bordeaux is because the wines from great vintages last so damn long, there is no need to buy in quantity from any non-great vintage. (This is why everybody hates America, we’re so damn opportunistic!)
And I heard 2014 isn’t going to be that good either.
I did buy some 2011 Bordeaux. In my area, there were relatively good deals on 2011 la Vieille Cure and Fleur Cardinale. I think both aren’t too bad considering the vintage, and are relatively good values. For 2011 Sauternes, I got some of the Chateau Doisy-Vedrines which also seemed to be a comparatively good value.
I don’t think it will come as too big of a surprise, but I certainly agree. These are all coming down in price in the next year. The only thing I bought was a case of 2012 Ducru Beaucaillou for $67.49 per, which is supposed to be a lovely wine.
PC had the 2012 Ducru at $58. I bought a few. I also splurged on the Haut Brion and Mouton at ~$250. But no, for the most part, those are vintages that will be as cheap or cheaper on arrival. Especially given the strength of the dollar and the poor sales for the vintages thus far.
I got suckered in to 2012 Leoville Las Cases for $80 from PC. It probably won’t live up to even that, but I couldn’t resist owning some Leoville Las Cases for <$100.
It was my impression that many critics quite liked the 12 Pomerols and St. Emilions already out of barrel as well. Will there be an article on 12s out of bottle on your website, Jeff? I bought quite a few wines from 2012 (mostly right bank, but also some left bank) en primeur as the style sounded like it fits my personal taste and I’m looking forward to receiving them.
One of the great things about CT is you can see how much of a particular region you actually drink relative to your holdings of that region. So you can do a ‘years before I’m out’ calculation. For me, for Bordeaux, based on my 2014 Bordeaux consumption, it’s 170 years.
No more Bordeaux for me, no matter what the price really…
Oh, I definitely picked up a little 11 Sauternes as well. It is an excellent vintage, though not as good as the 01 as initially reported. I assumed that people were talking about red bordeaux, and the Leoville was the only one I bought.
Me too. Also: 2012 Pontet Canet, Troplong Mondot and Petite Eglise. Just a couple of each. I tried the Barde-Haut and it drank incredibly well for the price. Felt like it might go places.
I just do not keep up with others nearly as much as I used. I will definitely taste more than 150 2012 wines in bottle. At least that is the goal for April. While the vintage was better for Merlot based wines, there are some nice wines from the Medoc as well, although one needs to be more selective.
I think there are some notes from various UGC events for the 11s, Taylor. Some good Sauternes, but at the tasting last year, I found the vintage uneven. Liked 11 Pape Clement and Larrivet’s Bordeaux Blanc was a star as well. Can’t give you any help with 2012s…
It is an excellent vintage, though not as good as the 01 as initially reported. I assumed that people were talking about red bordeaux, and the Leoville was the only one I bought.