the couple times I’ve brought that to a tasting for the end of the night, it’s been WOTN. I have a couple 96 and 98 left. Immortal stuff.
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I don’t think this is true. I definitely expect more consistency from certain producers (which is why I buy some of them almost every year).
Where I understand frustration is people often drink high end Burgundy too young and expect fireworks, and that rarely works. Some producers simply don’t make their top wines to be approachable young, so the “high end” experience becomes somewhat unpleasant.* A village can often be much better young than a grand cru.
But this is not that different than Bordeaux - drinking a young first growth is more about learning than joy.
*Roumier says this openly, for example.
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The 98 Donnhoff Eiswein was my wine of the year (and then some) last year. Glorious.
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You’re reading in words that I didn’t write. Expecting consistency from some producers does not mean it applies to all producers.
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And let me add—if it’s older and not on, it’s just “over the hill” or “poor storage”
I still buy and drink Burgundy for the rare perfect high, but I have no illusions about the game and its many apologists.
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From what I can tell, though, you often seem to be buying lesser producers from less heralded vintages. That could be a good decision because of price, but if you don’t have knowledge of what the wine should taste like you may be underwhelmed.
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If a producer isn’t delivering most years, I wouldn’t call them a “top producer”. I think what you’re really saying (rather than accusing me of reading in words you didn’t write) is that you disagree with what people consider top producers. Which I kind of think goes to the crux of the matter.
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Damnit, I just had to buy one of these…
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German wines in general.
JJ Prum are ridiculously cheap for the quality.
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For me, the break point on my mental ability to consume wine is usually limited to about $100.
Above that, and I certainly am disappointed if the wine is not excellent. Life changing? Not necessary. So most often the wines above $100 that consistently meet the standard of “oh shit, that’s really really good” are champagnes and burgundy. Have had more disappointing results with burgundy than champagne, but just about every champagne above that threshold has been wonderful.
I find it hard to believe that one could not consistently find wines in that price range that weren’t excellent. Of course I’ve never had the rarified opportunities to try Rousseau and DRC, but perhaps I’m better off that way. It’s good to be impressed by $100 wines!
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I don’t completely share the sentiment of a good friend and long-time collector, but I can see her point: she thinks Burgundy is finicky and will much more often grab a bottle of Nebbiolo. She’s also about 30 years into Barolo/Barbaresco, so there’s also that 
. This is strictly red though, she’s into white Burgs.
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The answer is always, “Champagne.”
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I think there can be diminishing returns as you go up in price as well, so you kind of need to know what “high end” means to you to be able to answer the question. I mean, if your Tuesday wine is $100 and high end for you is $500 it’s a different answer than if your Tuesday wine is $35 and high end for you is $100.
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This validates my choice on collecting as well.
According to CT I’ve purchased 7000 bottles and have 2100 in the cellar. Of those I’ve purchased under 10 bottles of red burg and have 3 in the cellar. In all these years I’ve never caught the bug. If someone wants to invite me to a high end tasting to change my mind feel free but I’m glad I never started chasing something that is difficult and expensive to come by. Seems like some who have ventured down this path have had some regrets.
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I will say my batting average is much better when it comes to white burgundy than red. We have a few favorite white burg producers and they almost never let us down.
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While “high end” for me (may not be for others), I’ve never been let down by bottles of:
Donjon CdP;
Clos des Papes CdP; and,
Janasse “Chaupin” CdP.
Although, I haven’t purchased any of them for probably five or more years at this point, due to price increase (especially with the Chaupin and Clos des Papes). But, for me, it was quite a nice run while it happened.
Burgundy is only hit or miss if you don’t know the producers you are buying. Just like all other regions. I cannot imagine buying Bordeaux or California Cabernet without knowing a lot about the producers I buy from. Am I getting a traditionally made wine, a wine modern wine at 16% alcohol and tons of new oak, etc., etc. People who buy wines by appellations, how pretty the label is, etc., etc., are going to find all the wines they buy hit or miss, no matter what they pay for them.
Michael is going to find the Burgundies he buys more consistent that than you will because he has done the work and knows the producers he likes. And, from the tasting notes he has posted on this board, he knows what he is doing with relatively less expensive Burgundies as well as with more expensive Burgundies.
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Same is true with wines like Ridge Monte Bello.
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Very true. But a lifetime of effort in pursuit of understanding isn’t for everyone. 
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I don’t agree with this at all.
The wines Alan has are irreplaceable in today’s marketplace. Selling means he never drinks these wines again.
Why would he sell them to gain money that won’t be advantageous in getting him the wines he actually wants? Does he need that money to buy a house? Kids college? Ok, then sure. But otherwise trading what he loves for mere currency makes bo sense at all.
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