April 30th 2010: Red Bordeaux

You’d need to take a class in understanding the way Bordeaux releases their wines. It’s a system unlike any other in the world of wine. They release them in what they call traunches which are offered at different stages as the wines are developing  early in their youth. The earlier you buy in, the lower the prices. Oregon has never been a player in this system so the wines are tough to come by here. We have some of the best selection of Italian wines in the whole country but with Bordeaux it’s hit and miss. So putting together this tasting is always the most difficult and I work much longer and harder than on any other tasting. That said, it was a success and we have a nice selection of these famous wines for you this Friday. Our “whites of France” tasting last week was enormously popular and the comment heard most was “wow, these are all excellent wines and all great values.” And at the end of the tasting we were almost totally sold out. Even the premium pour, at $39, sold out. It was a phenomenal value. I think we’ve done the same this week. We have a very nice spread of particular blends and regions and all are price performers. The premium pour, while $99, was considered one of the wine VALUES of the vintage meaning the score of 95 that it received from Parker (THE Bordeaux authority) was at the low end of price for that score!

2006 Chateau Buisson-Redon   $9

2006 Chateau Chabiran      $14

2005 Chateau D’Arcins       $21

2005 Chateau Falfas      $24

2005 Chateau Larose De Gruaud    $28

Premium Pour ($10)
2005 Chateau Lascombes/ Margaux     $99