There seems to be a flood of reasonably priced Bordeaux coming in at the moment, and I have acquired a taste for it. The fact that it has coincided with the much hyped 2005 vintage is a plus, although many of the wines are tight and need an hour or four in the decanter.
I have tried wines from about eight different Chateaux from a mix of vintages including 2000, 2003, and 2004 in the last 4 months, and although Bordeaux is quite new to me I have felt the quality has been pretty good all up.
Has anyone had anything of note in that price range they would like to recommend?
Bordeaux $15 - $50
Hey Jules,
Funny you should ask, my assistant at work just finished writing up some notes on Bordeaux we have at work, a couple of which meet your price range -
Chateau l'escart Bordeaux Superieur 2005 $16
A Bordeaux superieur is legally required to have 1% more alcohol than a simple AC Bordaux, resulting in more concentration. This bargain-priced example reveals earthy, mineral characteristics on the nose with some attractive berry fruit and a little cedar oak. The palate is medium bodied with lovely ripe cassis flavours against more earth tobacco leaf and dry mineral characters. More importantly its distinctly Bordeaux and should age nicely for the next three - five years.
Chateau Grand Bateaux Bordeaux Superieur 2005 $23
Grand Bateaux is owned by the well-known Fourth Growth St Julien chateaux of Beychevelle. It surpised both Jamie and I with its depth of flavour for a wine of its level. I displays a signature Bordeaux nose of crushed stones and sweet blackcurrant with just a hint of vanillin from the oak, followed on the palate by some rich, luscious, chocolaty fruit.
A well made entry level Bordeaux.
i can't take credit for these notes, which are done by Constantine, both wines should be available at your local Dan's (which is where i work).
Happy hunting
Funny you should ask, my assistant at work just finished writing up some notes on Bordeaux we have at work, a couple of which meet your price range -
Chateau l'escart Bordeaux Superieur 2005 $16
A Bordeaux superieur is legally required to have 1% more alcohol than a simple AC Bordaux, resulting in more concentration. This bargain-priced example reveals earthy, mineral characteristics on the nose with some attractive berry fruit and a little cedar oak. The palate is medium bodied with lovely ripe cassis flavours against more earth tobacco leaf and dry mineral characters. More importantly its distinctly Bordeaux and should age nicely for the next three - five years.
Chateau Grand Bateaux Bordeaux Superieur 2005 $23
Grand Bateaux is owned by the well-known Fourth Growth St Julien chateaux of Beychevelle. It surpised both Jamie and I with its depth of flavour for a wine of its level. I displays a signature Bordeaux nose of crushed stones and sweet blackcurrant with just a hint of vanillin from the oak, followed on the palate by some rich, luscious, chocolaty fruit.
A well made entry level Bordeaux.
i can't take credit for these notes, which are done by Constantine, both wines should be available at your local Dan's (which is where i work).
Happy hunting
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Dave Dewhurst
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:03 pm
- Location: Perth, WA
JamieH wrote:Chateau l'escart Bordeaux Superieur 2005 $16
A Bordeaux superieur is legally required to have 1% more alcohol than a simple AC Bordaux, resulting in more concentration. This bargain-priced example reveals earthy, mineral characteristics on the nose with some attractive berry fruit and a little cedar oak. The palate is medium bodied with lovely ripe cassis flavours against more earth tobacco leaf and dry mineral characters. More importantly its distinctly Bordeaux and should age nicely for the next three - five years.
Each to their own of course, but we tried this recently up against a range of Bordeaux and Aussie Cab Merlot blends and it was generally considered pretty poor. There's no way that note matches my assessment, which was more along the lines of thin, coarse and unattractive. It certainly did nothing at the time to convince me of the merits of sub $20 Bordeaux.
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
2005 Puygueraud I purchased en prem. prob cost me close to $30 given cost of money, landing duty bla bla. Its had good write ups and success
I found it pretty simple fare to be honest and a good $30 kiwi blend would trash it (im thinking <>awatea). We had it next to a 05 unison selection (sure its $45+ these days) but it made the Puygueraud look pretty ordinary
im hoping the rest of my 05 bdx isnt as much a fizzer
I found it pretty simple fare to be honest and a good $30 kiwi blend would trash it (im thinking <>awatea). We had it next to a 05 unison selection (sure its $45+ these days) but it made the Puygueraud look pretty ordinary
im hoping the rest of my 05 bdx isnt as much a fizzer
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
JamieH wrote:i can't take credit for these notes, which are done by Constantine, both wines should be available at your local Dan's (which is where i work).
Happy hunting
Just send Gavin a cheque for the advertising...
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
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Michael McNally
- Posts: 2086
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:06 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Jamie H
I think what RB is trying to say is that this site is provided and maintained by the Australian Wine Centre, an e-tailer of wine, and that it is probably inappropriate for people to spruik other retailers on this forum. Looking at the number of posts you have made, you were possibly/probably not aware of this.
Your comments/impressions/opinions on wines you try and wine related issues are completely welcome of course!!! As you work for a competitor how you deal with prices and sourcing may prove a fine line to walk, but I am sure you will get plenty of "friendly advice" if you are overstepping the mark.
Happy drinking and happy posting.
Michael
I think what RB is trying to say is that this site is provided and maintained by the Australian Wine Centre, an e-tailer of wine, and that it is probably inappropriate for people to spruik other retailers on this forum. Looking at the number of posts you have made, you were possibly/probably not aware of this.
Your comments/impressions/opinions on wines you try and wine related issues are completely welcome of course!!! As you work for a competitor how you deal with prices and sourcing may prove a fine line to walk, but I am sure you will get plenty of "friendly advice" if you are overstepping the mark.
Happy drinking and happy posting.
Michael
Bonum Vinum Laetificat Cor Hominis
hey sorry, didn't mean to advertise, just thought it would be easier if Jules wanted to find them.
Bick wrote
Yes, they do sound like the sort of 'note' you get on retail flyers.
we write our notes on wines we like that aren't reallly advertised but ranged, so we try to make them as user friendly to the general public as possible. if the wines no good, it doesn't make the newsletter, no pressure from head office.
Jamie[/list]
Bick wrote
Yes, they do sound like the sort of 'note' you get on retail flyers.
we write our notes on wines we like that aren't reallly advertised but ranged, so we try to make them as user friendly to the general public as possible. if the wines no good, it doesn't make the newsletter, no pressure from head office.
Jamie[/list]
Some of these prices for Bordeaux being quoted look reasonable by European standards. For example one of my French reference books quotes for Château Puygueraud ex-cellar prices of 9€ for 2004 and 13€ for 2005; I guess that retail here in Belgium would be around 12€ and 18€ respectively. Coarsely converting at 1€ = 2 AUD and considering freight half way round the world, wholesaler/retailer mark-up and taxes, $ 30 looks very fair.
Thanks everyone.
I have recently had two half bottles of the Chateau Siaurac and found it to be really drinkable so I might pick up a magnum that my local has for Xmas, and I was going to try the Cambon La Pelouse, and the Mallecasse as well.
Thanks for your recommendations Jamie. I have tried the L'Escart but I found the tannin to be overwhelming, so next time I'll decant it for longer, and I haven't tried the other one you recommended. Two from Dan's that I have liked are the Terra Burdigala Causse Rouge (2006) and the Chateau Belrose Moncaillou 2003.
I have recently had two half bottles of the Chateau Siaurac and found it to be really drinkable so I might pick up a magnum that my local has for Xmas, and I was going to try the Cambon La Pelouse, and the Mallecasse as well.
Thanks for your recommendations Jamie. I have tried the L'Escart but I found the tannin to be overwhelming, so next time I'll decant it for longer, and I haven't tried the other one you recommended. Two from Dan's that I have liked are the Terra Burdigala Causse Rouge (2006) and the Chateau Belrose Moncaillou 2003.