Bordeaux Index

• August 2009

  You're right ! Organic is sure not automatically good ! I recently taste some really awfull. But, organic winemakers are doing better and better ! In june, I've been at the Organic wine expo in Bordeaux (at the same time than Vinexpo, but not at the same place) and I've bee impressed... Read moreYou're right ! Organic is sure not automatically good ! I recently taste some really awfull. But, organic winemakers are doing better and better ! In june, I've been at the Organic wine expo in Bordeaux (at the same time than Vinexpo, but not at the same place) and I've bee impressed by the top quality of some, not especially the big Domains. Try some Chapoutier Cotes du Rhône http://www.chapoutier.com/gb/index.cfm, you'll have really extra stuff ! (Tavel rosé...)    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Reds, Whites.... how about... by po54

  
  

• August 2009

  To add to the growing list: --El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona (the Costa Brava, and esp. Girona, sure has undergone drastic upscale growth over the past couple of decades...), between Barcelona and the French border. Perhaps the best restaurant I've eaten at in Spain. Superb food... Read moreTo add to the growing list: --El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona (the Costa Brava, and esp. Girona, sure has undergone drastic upscale growth over the past couple of decades...), between Barcelona and the French border. Perhaps the best restaurant I've eaten at in Spain. Superb food and an even better wine list. A very special place, and I know for a fact that it impresses anyone you take there :-) . Quite interestingly creative in so many things they do, without falling into the 'gimicky' pothole. The wine list does for Bordeaux what Cru does for Burgundy. Etc. And if you like cigars, be sure to try their 'cigar' dessert ;-) . http://www.cellercanroca.com/PORTADA/intro_2.htm --Sooke Harbour House, southern end of Vancouver Island. Very nice resort, with fantastic views across the straits, excellent restaurant and a great wine list. Had a wonderful time there a couple of years ago. http://www.sookeharbourhouse.com/ (though I'm having trouble getting into their server now) Wine lists in Europe, in my experience, tend to be more region-specific, staying closer to home with their listings, while North American versions are usually broader. --If you want to peruse the best Italian wine list I've ever seen, go to Enoteca Pinchiorri, in Firenze, One of so many great eating places in that town I've been fortunate enough to enjoy, though this is undoubtedly the priciest: http://www.enotecapinchiorri.it/ --Best list of Alsatian varietals I've seen is at L'Auberge de L'Ill, in Illhausern, Alsace. A couple of Michelin stars: http://www.auberge-de-l-ill.com/V2/index.html Hey, I just found out they're even opening a branch in Japan, down in Nagoya near Toyota hqtrs. :-) --Greatest variety of Austrian reds I've ever seen at Doellerer, near Salzburg. A recent Michelin star: http://www.doellerer.eu/de/geniesserrestaurant.html A very different place from the Palais Coburg, in Vienna, which also takes its Austrian wine most seriously: http://www.palais-coburg.com/_en/ Skipping the 'proper restaurant' part and heading to winebars, this place in Paris, with a more upscale sister down the street, have generated a bit of press recently. It's warranted, for a pleasant evening out, though the press means more tourists than before: La Cave de l'Os a Moëlle (and its big sibling l'Os a Moëlle). More home cooking than haute cuisine, with the emphasis on wine, including a great selection of local wines behind the bar from around France. Doesn't have a website that I'm aware of, but if you google the place you'll find a lot of reviews. There are others that'll undoubtedly recur to me if I think a bit more, but this'll do for now. As a footnote, it's unfortunately true that you can't take the Wine Spectator's 'Award of Excellence' at face value as a pointer towards restaurants with good wine lists. They been punked: http://www.drvino.com/2008/08/19/fictitious-restaurant-wins-wine-spectator-award-of-excellence/    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Best Wine Menu at a Restaurant by dmcker

  
  

• April 2009

  “Lots of Interest” Morrell Wine Auctions Live Internet Auction http://auction.morrellwineauctions.com/248/index.jsp?auctionId=248 Wednesday, April 22nd 2009 Auction starts at 11:00 a.m. (EST) ~~~ Editor’s note: First off I humbly apologize for any (and all) grammatical... Read more “Lots of Interest” Morrell Wine Auctions Live Internet Auction http://auction.morrellwineauctions.com/248/index.jsp?auctionId=248 Wednesday, April 22nd 2009 Auction starts at 11:00 a.m. (EST) ~~~ Editor’s note: First off I humbly apologize for any (and all) grammatical and/or spelling errors- had to bang this one out in quick-time and whilst drinking copious amounts of Folgers (of the de-decaffeinated kind). Don't let my sloppy writing style disuade you in any way from heading over to Morrell's website to check out the catalog for yourself. There’s some interesting stuff in this sale, the second of the year from Morrell, including some lowered prices for some of the typically higher (and thereby “out of my reach”) end items from Bordeaux, California, and Italy. Bit of white Burgundy too at the end there that has me thinking summer. So head over if any of these sound interesting to you, and browse around. As Wall Street begins to recover, the prices for wine are at a buying point as I type. Go get something to share & imbibe, and have fun with it. That's where I'm headed. Sincerely, Christopher ~~~ Lot 15 10 bottles, early & mid-80’s Cali cabs... Burgess Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage Selection - Vintage 1981 Napa Valley, Excellent Appearance. 1 Bottle Diamond Creek Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Rock Terrace - Vintage 1982 Napa Valley, Excellent Appearance. 1 Bottle Diamond Creek Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Volcanic Hill - Vintage 1984 Napa Valley, Level is neck-shoulder. 1 Bottle "The 1984s appear to be the last of the big, bold, full-bodied, super-concentrated Diamond Creek. The wines produced after 1984 have been more polite and oenologically correct. What a shame! The enormous 1984 displays no signs of age in its dark, saturated ruby/purple color. The nose exhibits some evolution, with cedar, leather, and jammy fruit scents beginning to emerge. Still frightfully tannic, full-bodied, and highly extracted, this backward, chewy wine is one of the slowest evolving 1984s." 94 points, RMP. Fisher Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coach Insignia - Vintage 1985 Sonoma County, Two levels are neck-shoulder. Labels: one is wet stained, one is bin soiled. 2 Bottles Navarro Correas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coleccion Privada - Vintage 1985 Mendoza, Level is high shoulder. 1 Bottle Quivira, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley - Vintage 1990 Dry Creek Valley, Two levels are high-mid shoulder. 2 Bottles Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon - Vintage 1985 Napa Valley, Level is neck-shoulder. 1 Bottle Sterling Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve - Vintage 1983 Napa Valley, Level is neck-shoulder. Capsule is corroded. 1 Bottle Above 10 bottles $320 - 500 Opening at $260 Lot #18 Château Chasse-Spleen - Vintage 1989 Moulis-en-Médoc, Six levels are neck-shoulder or better. 6 Bottles "Make no mistake about it, the 1989 Chasse-Spleen is the finest wine this property has produced since their great 1949. This is a spectacularly rich, powerful, authoritative example of the vintage that can compete with and even surpass many of the most famous names. Layer upon layer of concentrated, sweet, expansive, blackcurrant fruit is wrapped in a frame of toasty new oak and decent acidity. An awesome wine!" 91 points, RMP. Above 6 bottles Opening at $240 Lot #39 Château Léoville-Barton - Vintage 1989 St.-Julien, Deuxième Cru Classé Excellent Appearance. (*92 pts, Wine Spectator) 6 Bottles $380 - $700 Lot #117 Far Niente, Cabernet Sauvignon - Vintage 1990 Napa Valley, Two capsules are slightly corroded. 2 Magnums $160 - $300 Lot # 160 Silver Oak Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander - Vintage 1992 Alexander Valley, Two labels are scuffed. 5 Bottles "It possesses that tell-tale Silver Oak, lavishly oaky, Provencal herb, sweet, smoky, jammy black-cherry and cassis-scented nose. Full-bodied, opulent, and succulent..." 92 points, RMP. Above 5 Bottles $200 - $400 Lot # 200 Chassagne-Montrachet, L. Latour - Vintage 1989 Côte de Beaune, Seven levels are 1" below cork or better. Five labels are lightly bin soiled. 7 Bottles $110 - $220 Lot # 221 Behrens & Hitchcock, Syrah, Homage to Ed Oliveira, Alder Springs Vineyard - Vintage 2002 Mendocino County, Excellent Appearance. 5 Bottles Behrens & Hitchcock, Syrah, Homage to Ed Olivera, Alder Springs Vineyard - Vintage 2003 Napa Valley, Excellent Appearance. 3 Bottles Above 8 bottles $190 - $300 Lot # 268 Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Insignia - Vintage 2005 Napa Valley, (92 points, WS, even higher from Parker) Excellent Appearance. 2 Bottles $180 - $280 Lot # 388 Château Meyney - Vintage 1979 St.-Estèphe, Level is high shoulder. Label is lightly bin soiled. 1 Magnum Dominus Estate - Vintage 1989 Napa Valley, Label is badly torn, wet stained, bin soiled. Capsule is slightly corroded. 1 Magnum Above 2 magnums $120 - $240 Lot # 478 Hourglass, Cabernet Sauvignon - Vintage 2003 Napa Valley, Excellent Appearance. 6 Bottles $220 - $400 Lot # 562 Château Léoville-Barton - Vintage 1996 St.-Julien, Deuxième Cru Classé Excellent Appearance. 1 Bottle "This impressive wine is a classic. Although backward, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to abundant black currant fruit intertwined with spicy oak and truffle-like scents. The wine is brilliantly made, full-bodied, and tightly-structured with plenty of muscle and outstanding concentration and purity." 92 points, RMP. Château Léoville-Poyferré - Vintage 1995 St.-Julien, Deuxième Cru Classé Two labels are lightly bin soiled. 2 Bottles Clos du Marquis - Vintage 1990 St.-Julien, Three levels are very high shoulder or better. Three labels are bin soiled. 3 Bottles Above 6 bottles $280 - $520 Lot # 567 Bonny Doon Vineyard, Le Cigare Volant - Vintage 1999 Santa Cruz, Label is bin soiled. 1 Bottle Miner, Cabernet Sauvignon - Vintage 1998 Napa Valley, One capsule is nicked. 3 Bottles Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Vineyard Reserve, Proprietary Red - Vintage 1999 Napa Valley, Four labels are scuffed. 4 Bottles Steele Wines, Syrah, Stymie - Vintage 2000 Lake County, Excellent Appearance. 4 Bottles Above 12 bottles $160 - $320 Lot # 610 Château St. Jean, Cinq Cépages - Vintage 1994 Sonoma County, Three labels are lightly bin soiled. 7 Bottles Paradigm, Cabernet Sauvignon - Vintage 2000 Napa Valley, Label is lightly bin soiled. 1 Bottle Above 8 bottles $260 - $500 Lot # 618 Turley Wine Cellars, Zinfandel, Pesenti Vineyard - Vintage 2001 Paso Robles, Excellent Appearance. 4 Bottles Turley Wine Cellars, Zinfandel, Pesenti Vineyard - Vintage 2002 Paso Robles, Excellent Appearance. 2 Bottles Turley Wine Cellars, Zinfandel, Pesenti Vineyard - Vintage 2003 Paso Robles, Excellent Appearance. 2 Bottles Turley Wine Cellars, Zinfandel, Pesenti Vineyard - Vintage 2004 Paso Robles, Excellent Appearance. 2 Bottles Above 10 bottles $220 - $420 Lot # 655 J. Rochioli Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Estate - Vintage 1996 Russian River Valley, Excellent Appearance. 1 Bottle J. Rochioli Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Estate - Vintage 1997 Russian River Valley, Excellent Appearance. 1 Bottle J. Rochioli Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Estate - Vintage 2000 Russian River Valley, Excellent Appearance. 2 Bottles J. Rochioli Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Estate - Vintage 2001 Russian River Valley, Excellent Appearance. 1 Bottle J. Rochioli Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Estate - Vintage 2002 Russian River Valley, Excellent Appearance. 3 Bottles (89, Steven Tanzer: As reviewed by International Wine Cellar in Issue 114, May/June 2004 ($41) Dark, bright red. Very ripe but sappy aromas of strawberry, raspberry and tangy baking spices. Dense but juicy and firm-edged, with refreshing flavors of red berries, cherry pit, chocolate, spices and earth complicated by a note of underbrush. Not especially pliant, but nuanced, persistent and firmly built.) Above 8 bottles $260 - $450 Lot # 669 Lokoya, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain - Vintage 1999 Napa Valley, One label is nicked. 3 Bottles Lokoya, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain - Vintage 2000 Napa Valley, Excellent Appearance. 2 Bottles Above 5 bottles $280 - $480 Lot # 730 Carillon de l'Angélus - Vintage 2000 St.-Emilion, Excellent Appearance. (***Editor’s note: This is the second label of Chateau Angelus- which received a whopping 96 point rating (RMP) for their first label, 2000 Chateau Angelus. Think about it.) Above 10 Bottles $160 - $300 Lot # 737 Château Gruaud-Larose - Vintage 1986 St.-Julien, Deuxième Cru Classé Level is neck-shoulder. Label is lightly bin soiled. Capsule is slightly corroded, has evidence of slight past seepage. 1 Bottle "From the first time I tasted this wine in cask, I have thought it to be among the blockbusters of the vintage. It has a black/purple color, mammoth structure, a fabulous wealth of fruit, and a finish that seems to last several minutes. This is indeed first-growth quality, but then, when, in the last decade, has a Gruaud-Larose not matched the quality of the first-growths?" 94 points, RMP. Château Talbot - Vintage 1985 St.-Julien, Quatrième Cru Classé Two levels are neck-shoulder. Two labels are lightly bin soiled. 2 Bottles Château Talbot - Vintage 1986 St.-Julien, Quatrième Cru Classé Level is high-mid shoulder. Label is lightly bin soiled. Capsule is slightly corroded, has evidence of slight past seepage. 1 Bottle "It's my gut feeling that the 1986 is, along with the 1982, the finest Talbot made at this estate since the legendary 1945. The fact that there are 40,000 cases of this wine is good news for the consumer, as there will be plenty to go around. The wine, which has been so special since the first taste from cask, is classically structured, with a penetrating fragrance of peppery, spicy, weedy black currants and tar, an enormous concentration of flavor on the palate, and staggering length." 96 points, RMP. La Croix du Casse - Vintage 1995 Pomerol, Excellent Appearance. 4 Bottles Above 8 bottles $280 - $520 Lot # 772 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes - Vintage 2000 Rhône, Excellent Appearance, owc. 12 Bottles $380 - $700 Lot # 828 Bahans-Haut-Brion - Vintage 2000 Pessac-Léognan, (Ed. Note: Second label of Chateau Haut-Brion, which received a 96 pt. review from Tanzer for the 2000 vintage. Food for thought). Excellent Appearance, owc. 12 Bottles $480 - $850 Lot # 864 Puligny-Montrachet, L. Latour - Vintage 2005 Côte de Beaune, Excellent Appearance. 12 Bottles $190 - $350 And those are just a few Lots of Interest. ~~~ Disclaimer: “Lots of Interest” should only be used as an introduction, or guide to buying wine at auction. I would encourage anyone interested in purchasing wine at auction - ANY AUCTION- to fully read the rules and regulations posed by each auction house respectively.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic "Lots of Interest", Morrell... by ChipDWood

  
  

• March 2009

  A great place for wine is the Caduff's wine loft. The food is very nice as well but a bit pricey for what you get. Great wines by the glass: http://www.wineloft.ch/en_startpage.html As already mentioned above by RBoulanger the Jules Verne Panorama Bar. To get there you have to go... Read moreA great place for wine is the Caduff's wine loft. The food is very nice as well but a bit pricey for what you get. Great wines by the glass: http://www.wineloft.ch/en_startpage.html As already mentioned above by RBoulanger the Jules Verne Panorama Bar. To get there you have to go through the Brasserie Lipp. And this is the place for me. The chief-cook is from Alsace and the food you get there is great. French style with some international additions. Try the snails. Very nice Bordeaux wine list with great prices! F.e. Cos 1996 for about 140$. You can even buy the bottles with a 20% reduction of the restaurant price. http://www.brasserie-lipp.ch/sites/index.php?id_b=40 The Carlton: http://www.carlton.ch/en/en_die_raeume.htm James Joyce Pub: http://www.jamesjoyce.ch/weinkeller.htm Divine: Great food and nice winelist. Nice place. http://www.divinebar.ch/ Lindenhofkeller: http://www.lindenhofkeller.ch/ Blockhus: http://www.restaurant-blockhus.ch/ Enjoy.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Zurich - help; looking for... by lilacwine

  
  

• November 2008

  After a four year stretch of high sales- closing with a 16 month stretch of UNBELIEVABLY HIGH realized bids at auction- top flight wines (Bordeaux especially) are coming back to earth. Rather: CRASHING back to earth. Case in point: Morrell's November auction, back on the 15th- Not... Read moreAfter a four year stretch of high sales- closing with a 16 month stretch of UNBELIEVABLY HIGH realized bids at auction- top flight wines (Bordeaux especially) are coming back to earth. Rather: CRASHING back to earth. Case in point: Morrell's November auction, back on the 15th- Not even closed yet. You can check it out at the following link, though I'm under the impression that you had to be registered prior to the auction starting to take advantage of the lower prices compared to lot estimates. http://auction.morrellwineauctions.com/246/index.jsp?auctionId=246 It's a very clear sign that prices across the wine auction board are heading towards a bottom (or at least back to earth) for the first time in at least three-maybe-four years. I've noticed too that Hart-Davis-Hart is doing all they can to promote their upcoming sale (http://www.hdhwine.com/content.cfm/auctions) amidst an economy that is closing its doors- no matter the income- to the luxury commodities (read: First Growth Bordeaux, especially). If we get a sign that the markets are going to at least stabilize once the Holidays are crossed- I think the timing may match up so that more "regular" wallets may be in place to pick up some mid-high level Californian, Italian & Aussie bottles at much more realistic prices- while their own retirement accounts are shaking off this staggering panic. Auction Houses will be in the mood to sell, along with their consignors, regardless of how low those reserves may drop below initial (and often unrealistic) estimates. You watch: February, March, April. Could be interesting. Ya know... just a theory ;). !http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/3054288904_0f2610a742_o.jpg!    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Wine Auction Meltdown... by ChipDWood

  
  

• June 2008

  I moved this past weekend. Sometimes, it takes a move to bring to focus the blur that exists in the everyday surroundings we call home. The professional can pack up and ship out in a hurry. The sentimentalist will linger over each and every item as if it were the fingerprints on... Read moreI moved this past weekend. Sometimes, it takes a move to bring to focus the blur that exists in the everyday surroundings we call home. The professional can pack up and ship out in a hurry. The sentimentalist will linger over each and every item as if it were the fingerprints on the hospital index card of their first born. I won't bore you with my moving classification, but I will follow Philip's post on Monday, where he reviewed a cheeky little wine book. However, I will simply state what is on my bookshelf, in hopes to bring to light some new source material or refresh your memory like each of these books did when they were placed in a cardboard, Larkmead case box. (In no particular order of importance. Also note that wine reading can be enjoyable as wine drinking.... sometimes.) Ralph Steadman: "The Grapes of Ralph" and "Untrodden Grapes." Gonzo education and excitement for the wine lover, fully equipped with fabulous pictures. Jay McInerney: "Bacchus and Me" and "Hedonist in the Cellar." Compilations of Bright Lights, Big City Jay's writing from his monthly column(s) in now defunct House & Garden magazine. Michael Broadbent: "Vintage Wine." The sub-title says it best: Fifty years of tasting three centuries of wine. Clive Coates: "The Wines of Burgundy," Revised Edition, 2008. Love him or hate him, the Englishman has lived in Burgundy for more years than I have been drinking wine. Andrew Jefford: "The New France." A bible on France in short form. Also check out Jefford's "Peat Smoke and Spirit," the definitive book on the Whiskeys of Islay. Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson: "The World Atlas of Wine." Maps, maps and more maps. Hugh Johnson and James Halliday: "The Vintner's Art." I'll change the subtitle a bit - How great wines are made, or at least explained how they are made to the amateur up to semi-pro wine drinker. Hugh Johnson: "A Life Uncorked." Worth reading just for his contempt for America's own Robert Parker. Robert Parker: "Bordeaux." Bordeaux by the man who built the market for these wines in the United States. William Echikson: "Noble Rot: A Bordeaux Wine Revolution." The back story to Parker's tasting notes. Elin McCoy: "The Emperor of Wine." Subtitle: The rise of Robert Parker and the reign of American taste. Daniele Cernilli and Marco Sabellico: "The New Italy." As "France" above, check out Italy through the eyes and mouths of the editors of Gambero Rosso magazine. George Taber: "The Judgment of Paris." On the morning of May 24, 1976 no one cared about American wines. A few hours later in Paris, American wines turned the (wine) world upside down. Jamie Goode: "The Science of Wine." For the wine geek, chemist in you. Donald Kladstrup and Petie Kladstrup: "Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure." Also check out "Champaign" by this duo. Kermit Lynch: "Adventures on the Wine Route." The Importer details his early days. Lawrence Osborne: "The Accidental Connoisseur." Like Steadman and McInerney, less serious, therefore more enjoyable. Let us know what wine books are on your shelf.... Dan Petroski is Assistant Winemaker at Larkmead Vineyards in Napa Valley. Dan has an MBA from New York University and worked as an Ad Exec in New York for several years, before switching it up and trading his suit for a move out west.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Book 'em Danno! by Dan

  
  

prev 1 next