i keep hearing that the '05 vintage is the best in over 50 years. i'm not much of a bordeaux drinker but i'm curious to see what the hoopla is about. is it worth buying? and since i'm not interested in a 700 dollar bottle, any suggestions? thanks!

 

2005 is an excellent year, moreso if the wine is from California. 2006 was good as well. Wines from 2005 will be good if you buy a good quality wine. However, you need to be sort of a wine snob to tell the difference. A nice Bordeaux or Chotes Du Rhone will be a nice choice.

 

you have too much money

 

You're either considering it too late, or too early.

Too early to drink it, too late to buy it on futures.

Otherwise, go ahead, buy half a case, and sit on it for 20 years.

That said, the difference between a 95 point wine and a 97-99 point wine is somewhat on a Law of Diminishing returns.

Between getting a case of 2005 now, or buying a potentially good case of 2008, '09, or '10 on future, I'd go for the futures.

As far as what to buy, if you want to shy away from the ridiculously priced Grand Crus, you can always head for the Primer Crus. . . also, head to Wine Spectator (magazine). . . you're not gonna find a bargain in there, but you will get some good recommendations.

The thing with vino, is that it's 80%-90% about the weather. If the fruit is good, it's really difficult to F up a bottle of wine. I'd generally say buy any Bordeux, and be happy.

. . . although NFR is hinting at a good idea: if you don't want to sit on it for 20 years, just got get a Cotes-Du-Rhone, or a Californy wine.

 

He said he wasn't interested in a $700 bottle. How does that statement equate to having too much money?

 

2005 is a buy since 2006 is freaking insane!

 

Try the Chateau Lynch-Bages, Chateau Lascombes or Chateau Smith Haut-Lafite as a starting point. All are below $100

 

Are these the grapes that were harvested during 1997-1998? I heard those were the best years from my wine making professor.

 

When did you take the class?

1997 was a mother load; a bumper crop of killer grapes. I managed to get 3 of the 5 major ones that year at release.

However, since '97, '00 turned out to be great for almost everybody (esp. the French and Portuguese), as well as '05.

Because of this thread, I went to www.bevmo.com, just to see what the prices on futures were looking like, and holy toot, while the Grand Crus are through the roof, there's a few bargains to be found as well.

I may get some Sauternes while I have the chance.