Any thoughts from the Bordeaux crowd on this wine ? I did a search but could not find anything.

I have an oppty to pick up a bottle or 2 at what seems to be reasonable compared to what I see on Wine Searcher.

thanks
CW

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cali wine,

I've never had it, but it is a good vintage from a premier Chateau. If you know that they were stored well, I say go for it if the price is better than the going rate.

88 Haut Brion is a very good wine. It's not a great Haut Brion, but it's very good and definitely gives you a sense of why Haut Brion is such an exalted wine. Give it 30-60 minutes of air and you'll be a very happy camper. Enjoy!

I agree with Pom. 1988 is an average Bordeaux vintage, and Haut Brion and La Mission usually outdistance the other Bordeaux in this type of vintage, which is to say they are the most consistent Bordeaux.

Thanks. The same place also has the 98. Probably get 1 of each.

quote:

Originally posted by cali wine:
Thanks. The same place also has the 98. Probably get 1 of each.

What's the price on the 98? If good I'd lean towards two of those and waiting myself.

$ 162 per for the 98. That's the 2nd time I've gotten that advice. The 88 is $ 225 per.

quote:

Originally posted by cali wine:
$ 162 per for the 98. That's the 2nd time I've gotten that advice. The 88 is $ 225 per.

If the storage conditions of the 98 are good then please PM over on WD. I'd be interested in some at that price as well. That is an excellent price for the 98.

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

quote:

Originally posted by cali wine:
$ 162 per for the 98. That's the 2nd time I've gotten that advice. The 88 is $ 225 per.

If the storage conditions of the 98 are good then please PM over on WD. I'd be interested in some at that price as well. That is an excellent price for the 98.

wiml,

I will split a six pack with you...

w+a

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

quote:

Originally posted by cali wine:
$ 162 per for the 98. That's the 2nd time I've gotten that advice. The 88 is $ 225 per.

If the storage conditions of the 98 are good then please PM over on WD. I'd be interested in some at that price as well. That is an excellent price for the 98.

wiml,

I will split a six pack with you...

w+a

See what I mean cali wine?

I had it at the chateau last September and it was outstanding. It seems like a great price to me, if you can be assured how it was stored. 1988 is not an average year in Bordeaux. It is an outstanding one, more typical and less opulent than the 1989 and 1990.

quote:

Originally posted by James Suckling:
I had it at the chateau last September and it was outstanding. It seems like a great price to me, if you can be assured how it was stored. 1988 is not an average year in Bordeaux. It is an outstanding one, more typical and less opulent than the 1989 and 1990.

This statement is about dead-on what we came up with tonight; tasted was 1988, 1989, 1990 Gruaud Larose. In order the wines became more firm and full bodied. All wines where tasted side by side.

quote:

Originally posted by James Suckling:
1988 is not an average year in Bordeaux. It is an outstanding one, more typical and less opulent than the 1989 and 1990.

No doubt you've had more of the 1988s than I have, but I have had all of the First Growths and many other cllassified growths and they don't match up well against many other vintages. For me this is an average vintage. These will not be long-lived classical wines but are free of basic flaws.

James, doesn't "outstanding one" seems a little too exuberant for the 1988 Bordeaux vintage? I passed on the 1988 Bordeaux Futures, but I've had several excellent values from 1988 Bordeaux, and I mean in the $10---$25 price range, which included Pichon Lalande & Leoville Barton. I opened these in the mid 90's and they were very enjoyable, especially when considering the price.

WIML- Someone else pinged me about getting some of the 98's already. If it falls through, I'll send you a PM on WD.