Bordeaux 2022

[Marco_Fimiani]

Zyn and BSW from out west is usually much more favourable in terms of pricing. No doubt that LCBO will certainly increase pricing for everything.

[Andy_Sc]

@crickey

If they are paying in Canadian dollars, yes.

Yeah, sure. But Canon at 325 translates to 245 US dollars or >60% more than the US pricing.

[J_Patrick_Lynch]

Bordeaux bloodbath! France pays winemakers to dig up vines

[Alexander_Smith]

No… this year they are very close +/- $1… However I prefer LCBO vs SAQ.

[Mark_Mo_rr_i_ss_ette]

@Mark_Mo_rr_i_ss_ette

I am following Henry’s question (and related responses) closely, as I feel I have the exact same question.

I don’t have great access to tastings where I live, but frequently buy bordeaux en primeur. And, I am laying down most everything I buy (which started <10 years ago, and only ramped up <5 years ago).

If I were to go to a wine shop today, with the plan of buying 3/5/10 bottles of recent vintages to try right away to show me the difference between the different appellations, what should they be? (I think that is the same question Henry is asking). For the sake of argument, let’s say in the $50 - $150 price range.

Urged on by a while back by @HenryB, I ended up taking matters into my own hands to try to answer this question. Needless to say, I could not do the 2022 vintage, so I focused on the 2020s. I just posted my experience in a separate thread.

[Mark_Mo_rr_i_ss_ette]

2020 Bordeaux Tasting for Inexperienced Palates

First: A confession. I have been buying Bordeaux futures at varying levels for several years (+/- 8), but I don’t really know what I am doing. Likely my own fault, but I have not had access to tasting groups or local retailers with tastings or significant knowledge. But, we know we love good wine, we have a great place to store wine, and I enjoy the research and hunt that is part of the en premieur campaign. So, thanks in small part to subscriptions to several reviewers, and in large part to…

[HenryB]

Hi Jeff

I recently got some interesting wines at auction - 2019 Canon, 2020 Carmes Haut Brion. I have both of these stored in bond for long term (read: to drink when prime), but I was wondering if you were to serve in the next 6 months or so, any advice around decanting/breathing/etc? I’m very excited to try both.

Thanks

[Jeff_Leve]

@HenryB

Hi Jeff

I recently got some interesting wines at auction - 2019 Canon, 2020 Carmes Haut Brion. I have both of these stored in bond for long term (read: to drink when prime), but I was wondering if you were to serve in the next 6 months or so, any advice around decanting/breathing/etc? I’m very excited to try both.

Thanks

Both are beauties. 3-4 hours max. I enjoy drinking wines in their youth. I look forward to your notes/comments on the wines. Let’s see if I can be trusted

[HenryB]

Thank you sir. Appreciate it. Will share when I Drink them (next month or so)

[Shan_A]

I tried 2019 Canon a few months ago. I enjoy wines in youth as well, and my conclusion on that wine was it is better off enjoyed decade(s) from now. I think there are better 2019s to enjoy in youth, e.g. Montrose.

[HenryB]

I won 3 loose bottles on auction and have a case of 12 in storage

[KlausS]

2.5k posts later I am asking myself if the thread on 2023 EPs post inflation will drive the next thread to >3.5k keeping with the most recent trend

[Jeff_Cassetta]

Had the '03 Calon in July and it’s drinking great! No roast and plenty of body…probably another 7-10 before peaking.

[Jeff_Cassetta]

FWIW, I’ve been real happy with my 2003’s…23 wines. All from the N. Medoc, save for Haut Brion, Margaux and Pavie. The one Q has been the Saint-Pierre, which was very tasty and Napa like in it’s youth, but my last bottle 18 months ago was unpleasantly too ripe. Three left…uhg…so it goes.

[HenryB]

03 Cos is one of my absolutely favourite wines, and still so young last i had it

[William_Kelley]

Are your bottles storing an aging portrait in an attic somewhere?

[Andy_Sc]

@HenryB

03 Cos is one of my absolutely favourite wines, and still so young last i had it

We did a 2003 retrospective horizontal this year. Compared to the other retrospectives we did in the last few years, it scored last (all wines tasted blind). Here are my conclusions (as published on CT: Bordeaux 2003 – 20 Years On – 33 Reds - CellarTracker )

All wines tasted blind, not decanted (some wines would have needed it). Observations: 1) 2003 is not a good vintage. The wines don’t have the depth and elegance of good years. But I was positively surprised, that while it’s clearly a hot year, there are less overripe, over-extracted and prematurely dying wines than in 09/10. Still, there is no comparison to how Chateauxs handle hot years today. 2) Compared to five other vintage retrospectives, the 2003 came in last place (lower average score than 2011), with just Chateau Margaux reaching a group score above 95pts. 3) Margaux wines showed best, with the typical immediate charm, while St. Estephe and Pauillac have potential but will need more time (and/or would have needed more air). 4) Right bank wines did not show as good with some alcohol showing and a few wines being on a downhill path. I would not chase 2003 right banks.

2003 VS OTHER VINTAGE RETROSPECTIVES

AVERAGE GROUP SCORE

1. 2009 93.9 (Tasted in 2019)
2. 2010 93.0 (2020)
3. 2000 92.7 (2021)
4. 2012 92.1 (2022)
5. 2011 91.3 (2021)
6. 2003 91.1 (2023)

WINES >95 AVERAGE SCORE

1. 2009 17x (47 red wines)
2. 2010 13x (61)
3. 2000 4x (48)
4. 2012 4x (33)
5. 2011 3x (30)
6. 2003 1x (29)

WINES >97 AVERAGE SCORE

1. 2010 5x
2. 2009 4x
3. 2000, 2003, 2011, 2012 0x

[HenryB]

Ha - no - sorry, ‘so young’ is perhaps an exaggeration, but for my tastes I certainly felt they were not in prime yet. Last consumed nov 22, it was certainly out of any shut down phase but took a couple hours of air to open up to full potential. no strong tertiary leather/etc notes yet

Am I missing something? Happy to be told I am!

Or

Let me know next time you’re in London. I’ve got 2 or 3 more bottles, we can sample one and you can tell me what I’m getting wrong

[JonathanG]

Please stop revealing my secrets.

Sincerely, D. Gray

[Jeff_Leve]

@HenryB

Am I missing something? Happy to be told I am!
you can tell me what I’m getting wrong

You’re not missing a thing. While the majority of 2003 Bordeaux are not aging well, with some aging extremely poorly, I am a big fan of COS and Montrose.