As I haven't had the opportunity to experience a truly aged, "ready to drink" Bordeaux, I would love some suggestions. I'm new to this and have only, prematurely, had various 2003 Bordeaux. Please provide me some suggestions of what to try that is ready to drink now from good vintages in price points from $50-$150 per bottle. Much appreciated!

Hi,

I'm just getting into this whole Bordeaux thing as well, but can recommend one: 1999 Pontet-Canet (easy to remember, eh?). It was recommended to me on the WS forums, and while I didn't think it was amazing, it was ready for drinking.

Might want to post this in the Wine Conversations area, that's where most of the Bordeaux-philes hang out.

Good luck!

Thanks. I'll move it.

I would suggest that you may not be drinking those 2003s prematurely. I like my wines older than most of today's most visible critics - who like them tasting no different than they did in the fermenting vat (I exaggerate). Still, more and more Bordeaux producers are picking later and guiding the wines in the winery towards much earlier approachability. I would hazard the guess that most of the 2003s available and affordable to the majority of the general public (including the price range you indicate) are ready to drink now.

Try this: decide how much you want to spend on 3-4 bottles of wine that you will drink at the rate of one per 6 to 12 months. It's a loose generalization that acids fade and tannins soften with time - assuming proper cellaring. Cabernet (and less so Merlot) tends to be very acidic and tannic in its youth. They become smoother and more integrated with time and proper cellaring.

Take notes on how the wine tastes when you first get it and then observe how it evolves. Then as you come across older Bordeaux you will get additional points of reference.

Try a 1989 Leoville Las Cases, it can be found for about 150. In 1994, Suckling thought it was the best LLC he has ever had.

My two cents, but you have to buy it from the right place with proper cellaring.

A little late in the game as I've just subscribed to WS online. If you can get your hands on some '96 Bordeaux like Pontet Canet, I think you'll start to see what the whole Bordeaux thing is about. They're really smooth and go well with a good piece of beef or lamb.

Welcome, Ottawa Chuck. I've been to your beautiful city many times and we have several forum members who live there. Stick around.

Thanks Board-O. Let me know when you plan your next trip to Ottawa; I'll send you a "little shopping list" as there's a dearth of aged Bordeaux to be found here at retail.

Tonite it's Lafon-Rochet '96...hmmm

The 1991 Leoville Las Cases is ready to roll and very underrated.