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Senior Editor Wine Spectator |
I just was at a tasting about two hours ago in London of 1998 Bordeaux organized by Farr Vintners, and Jean Guillaume Prats, the president of Cos d'Estournel, brought along a final blend of the 2005 Cos. Serious stuff.
Here is my note: Aromas of vanilla, blackberry, cherry and currants. Full-bodied, with loads of blackberry and cherry character and a long caressing finish. This shows gorgeous fruit and fabulous, refined tannins. 95-100 points. The sample came from a Maurie (sp?) barrel. The estates uses seven different coopers for its barrels. It was the final blend with the press wine added. It was very Cabernet Sauvignon in character. Prats said that he thought that "it is far superior to 2001 but I am not sure yet compared to the 2003." We will see.... What struck me about the wine was how well crafted it was. It was super clean with super generous fruit and velvety refined tannins. It was a wine with such great clarity. I can't wait to try it again in a few weeks in Bordeaux. And I can't wait to try the other 2005s.... |
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Member |
Let the hypeing of the 2005 vintage begin! Throw another log on that fire!
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Member |
James, do you have a guess as to what the drinking window would be, given its stucture?
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Member |
Thanks for the update, should be interesting to see how this vintage turns out.
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Senior Editor Wine Spectator |
Pipeau. I guess I shouldn't write about it....
Grow up.... |
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Senior Editor Wine Spectator |
This wine reminds me of a cross between the 2003 and the 2000. The structure of the 2000 but the richness of the 2003....modern 1990 or 1989.
Too early to say but just off the top of my head. I am flying to Torino now to do a spot for the Today Show tomorrow morning on Piedmont. Speak to you all tomorrow.... |
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Member |
Thanks for the heads up, JS. I'd actually allowed my Cos vertical to end given the pricing on the 2003's. At least I have time to start saving up!! Did you discuss pricing at all with Mr. Pratt? I know there's been a lot of (not too favorable) reaction to the incredible price hike of 2003.
PH |
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What about the '98 Horizontal? I'd love to hear how the rt. bankers are doing....
Cheers, and have fun on the Today Show. So much wine.....so little time!!! |
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Member |
No, that's not the lesson I was suggesting. Of course you should write about what you taste and think. Its your job. However, let's not kid ourselves about the fact that the Bordeleis have learned the marketing game quite well, spending tons of money and time to manipulate the market. This has increased ten-fold since 2000 and its now a well-oiled manipulative machine. And Prats is leading the way. That is there job, too, of course. What we shouldn't do is pretend the hype-game doesn't happen, and that gaming the critics reviews (to the extent possible - this is not a suggestion that your analysis is anything but accurate) and the amount of Bordeleis/merchant/consumer hype isn't part of gaming the marketplace. I think you should do an article focused on the hype-game that the Bordeleis now play (tiny first tranches, etc.). Waiting anxiously for that article... |
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Member |
This is great! My second child was born in 2005, so I guess I will find some great wines to drink when he is all grown up!
Time to start saving some money for the futures... |
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Wouldn't you do the same thing if you were the owner of a Chateau in Bordeaux and you had a chance to maximize profits? Let's not forget that these people make wine in order to generate profits... |
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As I said...that is there job. But its also the job of consumer advocates to call them on it. And its the job of consumers to realize they are trying to manipulate us, and to say so. No? Remember, this next vintage is about to be sold as the third "vintage of the century" in Bordeaux in the past 5 years. Let's keep things in perspective for once. |
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Most of us are. Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. |
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As far as I can tell, the "hype" for the 2000 vintage was dead on. It was a great vintage across the board. The "hype" for the 2003 was dead-on also. A fabulous vintage for top estates but very limited quantities and less quality overall. I'm hoping the 2005 "hype" is also dead on, because it sounds like it would be another great vintage across the board, with high quality at all price points.
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That's good to hear James. My son was born in 05, just hope the price is " reasonable ".
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Did Zachy's get notified about this before us?
 (sorry, a cheap shot I couldn't resist!) ******* This IS next year! |
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And two coffee plantations. |
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My guess.......$200.  PH |
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Which EQUALS approx. $400cad LCBO FUTURES...  |
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Member |
I do not think the price for this wine will be that high. 2003 was a small production vintage due to the heat and the 2003 Cos has still not sold off at current prices - and prices have not even gone up after the WS's scores. Prats simply got greedy. 2005 will provide much greater inventory. But why, why, why would you even consider purchasing this wine at or above current pricing? The Bordeleis have the idea that Americans will buy it at any price...because we are stupid and slaves to scores and hype. Why not just say "no thanks - I'm not that stupid"?
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Anthony Barton is very loyal towards his customers. Buy Barton for less!  AKA New DutchDrinker |
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I hope you're right. I'm afraid that the trend begun with the 2003 pricing, followed by what will be a unprofitable 2004 will make my prediction correct. We'll see.... PH |
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2004 will be profitable once it is priced properly (15+% reduction). Until then, the pipeline is going to sit on huge inventory. They overpriced the vintage. Regarding 2005, a recent Decanter story quotes Anthony Barton: "'The market will go crazy, there's no doubt of that, and prices will zoom up because in the US in particular they will pay any price. I just hope people will be sensible.'" The Bordeleis believe firmly that Americans are sheep, able and happy to pay any price put in front of them. Are we that stupid? Are we sheep? Ask yourself that when the 2005s come out. Time will tell. |
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Asked and answered already. For myself, I passed the 2003 Cos without a second thought. But between our country and the Bordeaux crazy Asians with deep pockets, I say, "Baaaaaaa." Just wait.
PH |
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