After many years drinking mainly new world reds, have started a courtship with Bordeaux. Any suggestions on what to buy? 2000 or 2001. Have decided futures dont scare me.

For 2000 - there are no good values left. But if money is no object, and you are young enough to be able to wait 20+ years for the wines to reach their peak, get first growth medoc + super seconds like Pichon Lalande and Leoville Las Cases.

For 2001 - buy the "other" bordeaux: Sauternes & Barsac! It was the best vintage in decades. Otherwise, right bank did better than left bank. In St.-Emilion: Pavie, Ausone, Valandraud, etc. In Pomerol: Lafleur, Clos L'Eglise, etc. There are a few gems in the Medoc, e.g. Cos d'Estournnel and especially Montrose (of which I bought a case).

00 BDX is a legend unto it's own, and a price to match. If you can find decent prices, some of the top-rated yet non-stratospheric priced BDX would be Lynch Bages and Smith Haute Lafitte.

-Vitis Vinifera

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Member #19
The Great Northern, out of Cheyenne, from Sea to Shining Sea

I agree, 2000 if you can, but prices are sky high. I have also noticed that inventory is still quite high, so prices may come down. I recently saw Pontet Canet for $50, which is not much above the futures price, and gets rave reviews (I have a case )

I must disagree with Cbmac about 01. Yes, Sauternes and Barsac look like they'll be great, but I wouldn't write off everything else. St Julien probably has some beauties (Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Poyferre & Barton, even Gruaud). Certainly the first growths are all highly regarded (93-98 pts from WS and RMP). The usual good producers will have made good wines, and the prices are right. I have bought a few cases of 2001s, selectively picking wines. I think this vintage has potential to be a very good value vintage, and will mature earlier than 2000.

Again, Pontet Canet for $25, Gruaud for $35, Sociando Mallet for $25, Leoville Las Cases for $80, Leoville Barton for $35. These are all good producers who made solid products in 01 at reasonable prices (ok, maybe the LLC isn't reasonably priced!)

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Wow, I disagree. For the most part, there are many values in 2000 Bordeaux. True, the First Growths and some select right bank wines are pricey, but for the most part, 2000 are fairly priced.

When you compare the price of 2000 Bordeaux with 00 & 01 Cal Cabs that have the same scores, the Bordeaux are much better deals.

2001 will be an OK vintage and should be fairly priced. But if you want great Bordeaux to lay away, 00 Bordeaux os the place to put your money.

I did.

Here is what I have purchased so far...

00 Clos L'Eglise CdC (6 btl. 25.00)
00 Petit Gravet (6 btl. 26.00)
00 Valrose (6 btl. 21.00)
00 Quinault l'Enclos (3 btl. 50.00)
01 Cod d'Estournel (1 case 780.00)
01 Quinault l'Enclos (6 btl. 44.00)
01 Fleur de Bouard (6 btl. 24.00)
01 La Confession (6 btl. 36.50)
01 Charmail (6 btl. 17.50)
01 Pagodes des Cos (6 btl. 20.00)

Don't tell my wife!!

Cookie- try KLwines.com. They got a bunch of 2000 bdx again for reasonable prices. I also bought all my 2001 futures from them. A very reliable source.

Binny's had the 2000 Pontet Canet for $50. It should be a very long-lived superb wine.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Looks like you went ahead and dove in. Very nice.

Congratulations! I think you have caught the bug. Now you need a cellar to put it in...then more wine to fill that cellar...then a bigger cellar because you are out of space...then more wine to fill that cellar...

Well you get the picture.

Grossie-
Thanks for the suggestion. I bought most of the wines from Sam's, Binny's and Woodland Hills Wine Company (www.whwc.com). Have you ever checked out The Chicago Wine Company (www.tcwc.com)? Prices are pretty nice. Also bought from www.aabalat.com- great selection.

-C

I've browsed TCWC's site a bunch of times, I've always been able to find better deals elsewhere. They have some nice stuff, and I think they're auctions are pretty good, but I've never bought retail from them.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Yeah, haven't made a purchase yet. Still really new to this whole "Bordeaux" concept. Most of my wines are from new world and Italy- can't afford Burgundy. I think I need more time and a younger liver

Yeah, haven't made a purchase yet. Still really new to this whole "Bordeaux" concept. Most of my wines are from new world and Italy- can't afford Burgundy. I think I need more time and a younger liver
Hey Pomerollvr:
I agree with you. I'm buying wonderful wines from BDX that are interesting, deep and broad for the same price as CA Cab that are nothing but alcohol and red fruit.