I am curious how many board members are excited about this vintage and if anyone is buying in large quantities. Also, I would be interested in knowing what everyone is purchasing or plans to purchase.
I am taking a different approach to this vintage than I have in previous ones. There are a few staples I have purchased, such as Vieux Donjon, Saint Prefert, Janasse Chaupin, and Clos des Papes (the latter 2 of which I got good deals on), but, on the whole, I think I am going to be targeting wines that have a little better value.
For example, the Paul Autard Cote Ronde just received an excellent review from James Molesworth and can be had for $44. The Clos du Mont Olivet base cuvee can be had for under $30 and has received great preliminary reviews from Parker and Raynolds. Les Cailloux also appears to be a good buy.
Just some thoughts on my end. Curious to hear what everyone is planning.

I'm taking the "I'll buy these a few years later" approach for for anything above the $25-ish mark.

my son was born in 2007 and since the Rhone was about the only place on the planet that did well (and has the ability to age) - I'm buying lots of 07 CdPs. I want them for sentimental reasons and not necessarily to have something to open for him in 20 + years. So far I have bought a case each of beaucastel and St. Prefert Charles Giraud. I added three bottles of Clos de Papes and am now looking to add a few more "value picks" that will probably not last until his 21st, but will be fun to enjoy. I am still looking at ageworthy wines to lay down, but don't have any in mind.

G

Keeno,

I'm buying futures of what I consider to be "investment grade" 2007 CDP for long term cellaring. I don't know what you consider "large quantities", I buy one or two cases. So far I've bought Clos des Papes, Combes de Fou (I haven't found the Machina), Pegau da Capo, Secret de Sabon and Usseglio's Mon... I don't remember how to spell the last word.

When these are in the stores I'll buy a little for drinking now.

Derek

quote:

Originally posted by sydthesquid:
I'm taking the "I'll buy these a few years later" approach for for anything above the $25-ish mark.

Same here. I already have some 2001s and 2003s that I am waiting to see if it's a type of wine I really like.

2007 is only starting to appear in the stores around here, so I've only been buying CdR's up to this point. Not sure it's my style of vintage, and I don't have much room, so I have a feeling that I won't pick up that much. That amazing string of outstanding vintages hasn't left me all that much room or motivation to jump the 2007 bandwagon.

I've bought a couple bottles each of Grand Veneur (regular and Les Origines), regular Janasse and Chaupin, Vieux Donjon (came across this in stock for $46 here in CO on vacation), Raymond Usseglio Imperiale, and one of Milliere VV. By pre-ordering, I generally saved about 15-20% from post arrival prices. Paid $27-46 for what I bought except for the Chaupin, which I missed at $50 and had to pay $60.

DoubleD has the right approach IMO. Unless you've tasted them and know you like them, I don't know how you'd buy in any quantity. Personally, I'm not buying any unless I get some kind of stellar deal. I stopped picking these up with the 2000 and 2001 vintages because when I was interested in the 2005 vintage and looked at the prices, a wine I used to pay $18 for was $39 and all the others have increased commensurately. Even Gigondas, which used to be a really good value, is now putting out wines at two or three times the prices of less than ten years ago. Those increases aren't due to costs either. FWIW I've tasted a number of the 2007 wines several times.

GregT: It's tough because I can't taste before I buy with a lot these wines. I feel good buying producers I know. I only started buying Chateauneuf with the '03 vintage. Even in that short time, prices have certainly escalated quite a bit. Frustrating for sure. I have noticed that, in a lot of cases, one can buy from older vintages and pay less than current prices. I have picked up quite a bit of good wines by doing that.
I agree with you on Gigondas. I can't get over how much those prices have increased. There are some good QPRs out there on CDRs though.
Don't want to turn this into a rant on pricing, but it certainly appears that a lot of folks are taking a wait and see approach.

My plan is to keep my verticle of Clos des Papes going. I am also considering the three Paul Autard wines, which I was offered a very good deal on, especially the Juline, and perhaps Vieux Telegraphe

All my standards: Beaucastel, Charvin, Pegau, Vieux Donjon. I usually have Vieux Telegraphe in that list, but I paused on the '06 due to the pricing. I'll be interested in finding out about the pricing on the '07. Hopefully I can find some of the '06 VT on sale somewhere.

Keeno - I hear you. I guess there are three options. One is to suck it up and lay out the money. If you have it, why not? Second is to stick with some of the great deals on CdRs and even other wines from the south France region. Ventoux, Luberon, Vacqueyras and all over the Languedoc region. The entire area is really improving and they can't all be considered first-tier, so I look at the adjacent areas.

The other option, and the one I strongly advise, is find some friends who have some of these and hang out with them!

Gigondas was my first alternative to CdP. They remind me of where CdP was about 8-10 years ago. As the wines are increasingly recognized as being really good the prices are reflecting that. Can't really blame the producers for getting what they can, but it's got me looking in other areas. But there are some pretty good wines coming from their southwestern neighbor too - Languedoc-Roussillon, which also had a good a year in 2007.

I havn't bought alot of 07 but I did make an order awhile back from premier cru on futures. The usual suspects Pegau, Janasse Chaupin, Mordoree La Reine des Bois as well as some cheapies like Clos St Jean, Cristia and Usseglio. I've been picking up some 06 at good prices. I have so much Cdp in my cellar that I probably wont buy a whole lot from any upcoming vintages. I went really heavy on the 2005 vintage.

I didn't buy TOO much 06 so looking to buy a bit more in 07. Already have purchased some Clos Des Papes, Usseglio Mon A., and the Paul Autard Cote Ronde (which I thought was fantastic!).

Probably pick up some Vieux Donjon, Charvin and if the funds allow Janasse VV and Pegau.

What I have tasted I am really liking so far. Could be a good near term drinking vintage waiting for the 05's to come around. And the top wines will still last for decades.

Parker announced that everything he has tasted so far has either surpassed or equalled his high score in barrel.

Can anyone be that surprised? Anything less, and it would no longer be the "greatest vintage in the last 30 years."

Previous vintages are starting to become available for bargains. Considering Josh Raynolds, James Molesworth and many vigneron think 2005 is superior to 2007, I would be on the lookout for 2005s.

Of course, I am a retailer, and I am here to make money, so I am buying tons of 2007s and selling them.

When did he announce this?

Somewhat dependent on pricing of course but I pretty much pick up a little (ie; 3-6 bottles) of Beaucastel and Vieux Telegraphe every year. Maybe some Vieux Donjon too if the mood strikes but doubtful.

quote:

Originally posted by bkkchris:
Could be a good near term drinking vintage waiting for the 05's to come around. And the top wines will still last for decades.

My thinking as well. As I purchased no '06s I will likely pick up a number of the '07s. Likely the last new vintage of CdP I'll do this with.
After that, I'll continue back-filling with older vintages.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by bkkchris:
Could be a good near term drinking vintage waiting for the 05's to come around. And the top wines will still last for decades.

My thinking as well. As I purchased no '06s I will likely pick up a number of the '07s. Likely the last new vintage of CdP I'll do this with.
After that, I'll continue back-filling with older vintages.

I am a buyer becuase my favorites are likely to be out of reach in the future. When Parker releases his final scores, I am worried that prices are going to get worse.
Incidentally, I was scanning through Parker's posts on ebob last night to see if I could find what NY Retailer was referring to above. I did stumble upon a quote regarding my beloved St. Prefert wines in which Parker stated that he underscored thosE wines in barrel and that they are "in the upper echelon" this year. Actually, I happen to think he has underscored them every year, but that is a good thing.
I know you all are probably tired of my incessant posts regarding these wines, but they are awesome and I would encourage you all to give them a try. I really hope those wines don't go the way of the Clos St. Jean madness, Clos des Papes and others.

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:
I am a buyer becuase my favorites are likely to be out of reach in the future. When Parker releases his final scores, I am worried that prices are going to get worse.

No worries about that up here, Keeno.
The price is the price no matter the score. You might only be allotted one bottle, but the price will be fair (usually CdP pricing is pretty good here, UNLIKE Bordeaux )

Anything I can't get here, and want more of, I'll suck it up and buy South (just fewer of them).

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:
I am a buyer becuase my favorites are likely to be out of reach in the future. When Parker releases his final scores, I am worried that prices are going to get worse.

No worries about that up here, Keeno.
The price is the price no matter the score. You might only be allotted one bottle, but the price will be fair (usually CdP pricing is pretty good here, UNLIKE Bordeaux )

Anything I can't get here, and want more of, I'll suck it up and buy South (just fewer of them).

Unfortunately, buying less is what concerns me. I have enjoyed getting as much as my greedy little heart desires.

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:
When did he announce this?

Last week.

You will start seeing retailers using it for next few months. After all, he is the advocate for the producer/importer/retailer.

He's also mentioned several times that it was the best in his 30 years of tasting. Rare Wine Co has been using that line - it was in last month's mailing. I'm sure it's excellent and from what I've tasted, I have no complaints.

But I kind of remember the 2005 getting massive hype and before that 1998 and 2000, so FWIW . . .

Greg

He hyped 2003, 2000 and 1998. He did not hype 2005. Molesworth and Raynolds did. Parker reviewed the 2005s after them and said that they were not as good as the hype.

Then with tje 2007 vintage, he tasted the wines a few months before the other critics and came out with his own hype.

I have used the old quote numerous times, as well.

Sokolin used the new quote this week.

quote:

Originally posted by thirsty man:
my son was born in 2007 and since the Rhone was about the only place on the planet that did well (and has the ability to age) - I'm buying lots of 07 CdPs.

How about Port? Or all of Italy? White Bordeaux?