Forget 2007 CdP; Bob P falls for 2009 Bordeaux

[Bill_Klapp_deactivated]

@Kevin Shin

@Bill Klapp

Blind leading the blind leading the deaf and dumb. The wine culture in America is laughable, and never more so than in times like this. Not only does the Emperor have no clothes, his loyal subjects are buck-ass naked, too. And Kevin Shin, stop crowing about your “genius” on both boards. Predicting Parker scores has been an exercise in shooting fish in a barrel for some time, and only the foolish, naive denizens of eBob read each new recounting of The Dead Palate Walking’s Bordeaux scores with wide-eyed innocence and reverence. But then again, Bordeaux is a fool’s game anyway. Its lovers get fleeced in the secondary market by the speculators, and, interestingly, Parker has fueled the flames of both camps.

Oh, and those of you who subscribe, don’t miss the amateurish, self-congratulatory video of Galloni “interviewing” Parker on the subject of Bordeaux. It will make you nostalgic for the worst video work of Suckling or Vaynerchuk…

Bill,
For someone who so enjoys a good life, you seem way too bitter. The reason why I am so excited about the 09 Beausejour Duffau is that this was the most memorable wine of my trip. I wasn’t expecting loving the wine so much. Consequently I told a number of friends to buy the wine at EP and some did, bought at sub $100. Then the 10 was coming out really late so I told everyone to buy more and some did and I also added more. I bought a lot and it is exciting on my part to see the Bob’s upgrade. As I said in the past, 100 point really is meaningless as it is an extremely imprecise tool. I believe that buying the 100 and 99 pointers at this late stage is simply unwise per my experiences with the 03s and the 05s.

Kevin, not bitter at all. Life has treated me well. I would instead call myself “edgy”, among other things (I’m good with “rude”, “argumentative”, “curmudgeonly” and any number of similar epithetic descriptions as well), but not bitter. My problem is that I do not suffer fools gladly, and I find more fools per e-column inch on the Squires board than anywhere else. I am not calling you a fool, but I feel like your momma should have told you that starting “I told you so” threads is not polite, especially when you are rubbing it in with a crowd that largely cannot find their respective asses with both hands. You love the '09 Beausejour. Terrific. Leve and Parker love the '09 Cos, which appears to most to be some sort of bizarre winemaking disaster. Hoo-rah. I am just wondering why any of that makes any difference to anyone else at this point (although I well understand that it does, at least in Parker’s case). His 2009 scores are, in most cases, absurdly out of line with those of other critics. Parker is trying to ride out on the same stallion that he rode in on, namely, “I’m right and everybody else is wrong”. He likens the 2009 vintage to 1982, but better, and in his preamble on 2009, from his very first sentence, he starts defending his assessment of the 2009 vintage before he had a chance to be attacked. The bulk of his ramblings is devoted to defending himself against grade inflation, at the same time he is absurdly inflating his scores. This is self-righteousness at its finest, but with equally strong doses of paranoia and insecurity. His title for the piece? “The Empire Strikes Back”. Against whom? Those nasty bloggers who pick on him? Maybe it is the Emperor of Wine’s attempt to be funny and ironic, but I doubt it. He lacks both of those tools. By the way, no hard feelings were meant to be directed your way at a personal level. I just liked you better when you maintained a healthy distance from Big Bob’s armpit…

[Neal.Mollen]

@Keith Levenberg

Don’t be silly Neal. The reason I didn’t mention more recent vintages is because the whole point was how the wine ages. Duh.
Meanwhile, you’re making a sweeping statement about fans of the wine in general based on the (potentially ass-covering) comments of only one such fan, Parker himself? Oh, come on now.
Whatever. If you want to argue that Troplong-Mondot is one of the most beloved wines in every Bordeaux drinker’s cellar, go ahead – I won’t press the point. But it sure ain’t been my observation.

I’m not making sweeping statements or defending the wine. I am pointing out that your conclusion that “none” of them have turned out is based on three wines, none more recent than 15 years ago. Sounds like an agenda more than an empirical observation.

[Carl_Steefel]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@Nick Gangas

Ok Bob sorry I was being a little bit of a jerk. I just thought it was ironic that one of the two cases of Bordeaux I own is a 100 pointer. Plus, I always wanted to do the “this guy” thing. It always makes me laugh. I bought it because at the time I was still buying Bordeaux. Even though I was drinking less and less. At one point I had over 50 cases but now have this and a case of 05 Pontet Canet. Will I keep it ? For now probably. At least until I find a case of Burgundy that I could replace it with. Speaking of, don’t I have something for you?

No matter what you do, drink that '05 PC; it is extraordinarily good juice.

I cannot imagine this is ready any time soon. Just tried a bottle of the 2008 PC, and while very good, with great potential, it was showing close to nothing now. Only somebody who enjoys and is experienced in young Bordeaux would recognize this as a special wine.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

It’s nowhere near the beginning of its ideal (prime) drink window, but it’s obvious to me that it’s a great wine. I tasted the '05 from bottle at the same time I tasted the '10 bbl sample; I don’t know how long the '05 had been open, but it was not closed — was it tight? Sure. Was it closed? No. Is it beautifully structured and built for the long haul? I’d say so. The '10 bbl sample, on the other hand, was a wall of bitter tannin, and I lack the experience to properly evaluate it.

[BobH]

@Nick Gangas

Ok Bob sorry I was being a little bit of a jerk. I just thought it was ironic that one of the two cases of Bordeaux I own is a 100 pointer. Plus, I always wanted to do the “this guy” thing. It always makes me laugh. I bought it because at the time I was still buying Bordeaux. Even though I was drinking less and less. At one point I had over 50 cases but now have this and a case of 05 Pontet Canet. Will I keep it ? For now probably. At least until I find a case of Burgundy that I could replace it with. Speaking of, don’t I have something for you?

No, you weren’t being a jerk, and I think it is funny to parody that “I’m the guy” thing. I was simply asking an honest question. And while I own 5 btotles of the 09 Pontet (already drank one) I have 400 bottles of bOrdeaux in my cellar- and you STILL own more 100 pointers than me.

[Carl_Steefel]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

It’s nowhere near the beginning of its ideal (prime) drink window, but it’s obvious to me that it’s a great wine. I tasted the '05 from bottle at the same time I tasted the '10 bbl sample; I don’t know how long the '05 had been open, but it was not closed — was it tight? Sure. Was it closed? No. Is it beautifully structured and built for the long haul? I’d say so. The '10 bbl sample, on the other hand, was a wall of bitter tannin, and I lack the experience to properly evaluate it.

Well, I am going to drive by my local store to see if they have any '09 PC left. I try to buy this every year, Parker score or not. This is one store that is so out of it, they probably do not know that Parker gave them 100 points…

[ToddFrench]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@Nick Gangas

Ok Bob sorry I was being a little bit of a jerk. I just thought it was ironic that one of the two cases of Bordeaux I own is a 100 pointer. Plus, I always wanted to do the “this guy” thing. It always makes me laugh. I bought it because at the time I was still buying Bordeaux. Even though I was drinking less and less. At one point I had over 50 cases but now have this and a case of 05 Pontet Canet. Will I keep it ? For now probably. At least until I find a case of Burgundy that I could replace it with. Speaking of, don’t I have something for you?

No matter what you do, drink that '05 PC; it is extraordinarily good juice.

Sorry to go off-topic and not wail on Kevin or RP more, but have you had the '05 PC recently? I’ve got my few bottles resting.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

Todd, I tasted it during the CT Bdx. trip last May:

• 2005 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (5/23/2011)
  CT Bordeaux Trip 2011 - Day 1 (France, Bordeaux, Pauillac): – popped and poured –
  – tasted a single pour non-blind over 5 – 10 minutes –
  – 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot –

NOSE: expressive; plum; cinnamon; hint of black raspberry on the finish; a completely beguiling and intoxicating Nose. Stunning.

TASTE: intense palate of purple berries shows incredible balance: nice acidity, ample tannins, and the 13% alc. is not noticeable. Finish was long, but not very intense as this wine is still wound quite tightly. Really a gorgeous wine. This was one of my favorite wines of the entire trip. My score may be a tidge conservative.

B: 50, 5, 14, 18, 9 = 96 (96 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Keep your bottles socked-away, Todd, unless you really enjoy young Bdx…

[Andrew_L]

Given the Cos and Troplong discrepancy, I was curious, so I checked the rest:

List of red wines with bottle scores of 100 points:

Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse (NM --)
Bellevue Mondotte (NM 90-92)
Clinet (NM 95)
Clos Fourtet
Cos D’Estournel (NM 90)
Ducru Beaucaillou (NM 96)
Haut Brion (NM 97)
Latour (NM 97)
Leoville Poyferre (NM 93)
L’evangile (NM 96)
La Mission Haut Brion (NM 97)
Mondotte (NM 95-97)
Montrose (NM 96)
Pavie (NM 93-95)
Petrus (NM 97)
Le Pin (NM 95)
Pontet Canet (NM 94-97)
Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge (NM 93)

List of red wines 99+:

L’Eglise Clinet (NM 97)
Lafite-Rothschild (NM 97)
Mouton-Rothschild (NM 97)

List of red wines 99:

Le Dome (NM 91-93)
Cheval Blanc (NM 98)
Angelus (NM 95)
Troplong-Mondot (NM 89)
Vieux Chateau Certan (NM 95)
Hosanna (NM 95)
Lafleur (NM 98)
Chateau Margaux (NM 98)

[David_Bu3ker]

@Keith Levenberg

@Chris S p i k e s

Are the rest of the scores out yet, or only the 100 pointers?

Who cares about any of the 99-point crap?

I thought Berserkers were beyond Parker…

[Roy_Piper]

I met with Jonathan Maltus last week and tried all the 09s that Parker reviewed, plus 2011 components of Le Dome and others. Glad to see he got a lot of love: 99, 98, 97+, 97, 96, 92 and 89.

Note about that 89. It is for a wine I had never heard of before; “Pezat.” That is the exact score I gave it and I was going to post on it this week once I caught up on paperwork. This is a MUST buy for those wanting a bargain Bordeaux. From a vineyard just a few meters outside St Emilion.

Here is my note:

Pezat, Bordeaux Superieur, $12-17
Merlot with some Franc. Translucent ruby-purple. Medium-bodied. A nice, elegant, immediately drinkable wine, with balanced warm red fruits and gravel-earth undertones. A food wine that does not need any time. Nice, integrated medium tannins. Good ripeness. A ridiculous bargain for Bordeaux from an excellent vintage.
89pts

It is all being sold in distribution (I think he said NY and TX) and you would do well to pick up some if you want an everyday drinker. Napa has nothing like this at the price. Let’s put it this way… I kept coming back to try this more than the 09 Le Dome (99pts,) because I just could not believe it was that good for under $20. I even took a picture.

[Rainer_Guntermann]

I don’t see any reason for Kevin not being happy. In the world of Bordeaux the rule : " Parker makes it, Parkers takes it " still exists, nobody knows how long. But I think you are allowed to be happy when you took a wine you like before Parker made is too expensive.
I confess that I like Kevin’s palate and bought a case of Beausejour and Rol Valentin each due to his recommendations, not because I expected any rating around 100 but due to his tasting notes. And while not a great fan of 15 % alcohol wines I’ve to say that I enjoyed every sip of Beausejour 1990 I had up to now, even being very sceptical before the first. And the times you could taste a wine before buying are sadly long gone due to critics, publications, so called semi professional critics and boards like this. So when I can’t taste before buying I’ve to go with the info I can get and in that context I believe Kevin’s info to be a reliable one. I think I’ll enjoy the under 90 Rol Valentin as much as the 100 Beausejour.

P.S.: Clapping youself on your shoulder for giving your friends " confirmed " advise is a minor crime imo.

[John_Morris]

@Rainer Guntermann

And while not a great fan of 15 % alcohol wines I’ve to say that I enjoyed every sip of Beausejour 1990 I had up to now, even being very sceptical before the first.

Was the 1990 15%?

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

Thanks for the Pezat tip, Roy. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it. According to Wine Searcher, JJ Buckley has it for $11.99.

[Carl_Steefel]

I am pretty sure the 1990 was NOT 15%.

Otherwise, surprising but refreshing to see somebody like Rainer buying a wine based on a Board member’s recommendation. Given the obsession with critics and their opinions to the exclusion of all else, it is good to see somebody else has some impact here.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Carl Steefel

I am pretty sure the 1990 was NOT 15%.

Otherwise, surprising but refreshing to see somebody like Rainer buying a wine based on a Board member’s recommendation. Given the obsession with critics and their opinions to the exclusion of all else, it is good to see somebody else has some impact here.

I’d be willing to bet that many board members buy wines on the recommendation of other board members whose palates they trust.

[Roy_Piper]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Thanks for the Pezat tip, Roy. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it. According to Wine Searcher, JJ Buckley has it for $11.99.

That is simply insane.

[ToddFrench]

@Roy Piper

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Thanks for the Pezat tip, Roy. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it. According to Wine Searcher, JJ Buckley has it for $11.99.

That is simply insane.

Wrong vintage…that’s the 2010

[Jorge_Henriquez]

@Roy Piper

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Thanks for the Pezat tip, Roy. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it. According to Wine Searcher, JJ Buckley has it for $11.99.

That is simply insane.

It’s the 2010, not the 2009.

[Roy_Piper]

@Todd F r e n c h

@Roy Piper

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Thanks for the Pezat tip, Roy. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it. According to Wine Searcher, JJ Buckley has it for $11.99.

That is simply insane.

Wrong vintage…that’s the 2010

Well, I see it for $14.97 in other places. Either way.