Win a free bottle of Bordeaux wine that scored 90 Pts or more courtesy of Macarthur Beverages and keep up with 2010 Bordeaux Wine Harvest News.
To win all you need to do is post in the Wine Cellar Insider telling us your favorite Bordeaux wine. If you want to add a few extra words telling us, as well as your friends and other wine lovers why you this is your favorite Bordeaux wine, that’s even better! But there is no obligation to write more than the name of your favorite Bordeaux chateau. We will pick one winner per week for the entire month of October. You can post in any threads listed in the 2010 Bordeaux Harvest category .  www.thewinecellarinsider.com/category/feature-articles/2010-bordeaux-wine-harvest-news/
Additional 2010 Bordeaux harvest news postings will be added as often as possible over the next several weeks in the 2010 Bordeaux harvest category.
It’s easy to win a great bottle of wine! Remember you must post on The Wine Cellar Insider and not on Facebook to win. One winner per week will be chosen at random.
The Bordeaux wines being awarded are either  a bottle of 2005 Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot, 2004 Pontet Canet , 2003 Chateau Rauzan-Segla or 2004 Chateau Cos d’Estournel. All Bordeaux wine prizes are courtesy of Macarthur Beverages, Fine Wine and Spirits since 1957 – http://www.bassins.com/– 1 -202-338-1433
72 Comments
My best experience ever was a Petrus 89, I’ve never had tasted such a perfection! Just reminding it brings a certain emotion to me…
Lafon Rochet, best bang for the buck in Bordeaux!
Thank-you Jeff for providing this valuable and timely harvest information to us Bordeaux lovers. There are so many good Bordeaux wines but my favorite across many years is a controversial one to many….Gruaud Larose. This is a wine that really does not show what it’s all about until it’s got a bunch of age on it. Probably true that the older ones were of higher quality (70’s and 80’s) than most of the vintages since (with a couple exceptions) but I just love the stuff and I’ve got a nice collection of many vintages since the 95 in deep storage. Sounds like the 09 is going to be a good one so I bought a couple cases on futures. Gruaud has this rustic/classic style that is just right for for my palate. – Chris
I’m relatively new to Bordeaux, so most of the wines in my cellar are too young. But I will say that a 2001 Pavie I had was outstanding, and I also was blown away by the 03 Leoville Barton. ’98 Las Cases was beautiful as well! So there are three.
Btw, nice website, Jeff! I love the guest contributors and your harvest updates.
lafite roth 2008
lafite roth 2009
mouton 03 and 06
82 Cheval Blanc- The King of Franc!
’98 La Mission Haut Brion
Love the sweet tobacco and gravel intermixed on the palate…. the 96 isn’t bad either…
La Conseillante. It hits a perfect vibe for me almost every vintage (except ’02 – bleh.) The ’01 is almost a house wine.
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou is my absolute favorite Bordeaux. Their vintages have been consistent and have made a huge hole in my pocket but it was worth it!
Hi Grace… Thanks for visiting! Ducru is great and IMO, Borie is making the best wines ever produced at the property today. While it’s not cheap, grab any 08 Ducru that is not sold yet. It’s going to get a high score and it will be very hard to find for the same price after that.
1959 Lafite
It was the first truly great wine I tasted and it has remained imprinted in my memory. I’ve tasted it again twice since then and it remains a landmark wine that awakes fond memories.
Hi Julia… 59 Lafite is one of the great Bordeaux wines of all time! I might not have any 59, but when you finally come visit, I think I can find a bottle or two that you will like? How are things with you?
PS. Thanks for the Twitter tips. I’ll play with it again next week.
1961 Latour a Pomerol
Château Margaux : because it’s the most balanced wine I’ve ever tasted, it’s spectacularly perfect.
Apart from the big names in Bordeaux I have only visited one or two. To make things a bit different and for good value Chateau Plince in Pomerol I will go for…
Chris… Plince is a name we do not hear much about, But it is a good value for Pomerol. Where did you visit when you went to Bordeaux?
In general, Right Banks are my favorite, but there are some amazing Left Banks. Not sure if you wanted a single wine or a winery.
For a single wine, regardless of price, 1989 Petrus. Saving this for a very special occasion. We had a 1971 Petrus and that is still our one favorite single bottle (a lot probably had to do with the occasion).
For a single wine, factoring in cost, 1989 La Conseillante. All the bottles I’ve had (4) have just been so good. Waiting to start popping the 2000s.
For a single wine, Pavie. In fact, I love all the Perse wines.
Chateau Angelus!
and since it’s a fave of yours, I’m sure u have plenty to share
G… You are right. Angelus remains one of my favorite wines. I’m thinking there will be an Angelus event taking place at Chez Leve in October!
Château Carbonnieux red
Mouton 1982 hands down, the best red wine ever tasted!
I’m partial to Troplong Mondot myself, particularly the 2003 to 2005. They just sing!
1945 Chateau La Dominique — tasted 2009 and the fruit was still bright and fresh!
Favourite: Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf. First had it in a blind tasting, up against La Conseillante, Masseto, others, and it topped them all.
Lol! Jeff, I just clicked over from your Facebook message and notice that we have the same birthday! I’ll have to remember to pass some good wishes when it comes around!
Haut Brion ’59 Almost as good as I am… 🙂
Jeff
Favorite wine has to be the 1975 La Mission Haut Brion. Last time I had this was this past spring at a special dinner at Tour D’Argent and the bottles we had from their outstanding cellar were among the finest I have ever enjoyed.
La Mission Haut Brion for being excellent in multiple vintages. If we could forget about the slump at Chateau Margaux in 60’s up to mid 70’s, I would make it my favorite.
Mont… After reading your post, I am in the mood for La Mission. I think I will pop one this week!
1999 Mouton, 1999 Pavie. Deep, long finish,
Another vote for Pontet Canet! The quality has gone through the roof in the last 15 years and the price has not. Winner!
Alex… Pontet Canet rocks! Did you take my advice and buy any 2008? What about 09? Are you buying any?
Still have a lot more Bordeaux to taste, but I was originally sucked in by a Figeac and, subsequently, by Cos d’Estournel. I have to say, I’m collecting a number of Cos d’Estournel wines now. When they get it right, there is just so much going on with these. Hugely dense, yet so light on its feet, with cool fresh flavours and balanced acids. And yet, the best of them are still relatively afordable. I may be alone, but I have to put my vote with Cos d’Estournel at this time! 🙂 Robert
Robert… When people taste the 09 Cos d’Estournel, they will be blown away! Do you have a favorite vintage of COS?
1961 Latour
Jim… I was sure you were going to pick a California wine! Have you had 61 Latour?
Jeff
I’ve been collecting for 40 years and had many, many great bordeaux including 45 Mouton, 61 Latour, 47 Cheval, etc, etc. The most memorable wine IMHO has been the 47 Lafleur. Tasted approx 15 years ago, it was absolute perfection and tasted alongside the 45 Mouton, which it easily overshadowed. As for my most recent favorite, it would have to be 61 La Mission Haut Brion. I rated it easily a 100 pt score. Easily the best bordeaux in the past few years.
Roger… Thanks for dropping in. You have great taste and a lot of experience. I hope you’ll keep posting when you can. I’ve had a lot of the wines you mentioned, but not all of them. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
No doubt ! Haut Brion !
Nice memories with 1970 1982 1986 1988 and even poor vintages like 1992 or 1993 ! The 2009 tasted at the futures was simply fantastic, perfect wine !
Haut Brion! Now you’re talking my language….
Jean Christophe… You are very funny! I will ask Mark Wessels if you can have a Cote Rotie instead:-0)
But if you are still coming to visit in October, I have 89 & 90 Tertre Roteboeuf. Which would you prefer we open?
And you still owe me your harvest news and pictures of the wine making!!!
Leoville Barton 2005. It was part of a special pairing menu that the former chef a the former Bastide did for me. It threw me over the wall with excitement — and it was one of the first times I started to love French wines. My wine education started (mon dieu!) drinking California wines. For a long time, I was madly in love with qualities I now dislike and would call “jammy” and “overextracted.” It was one of the most magical nights of my life, that night at Bastide, and the pairing was superlative.
Mike Pobega as I live and breathe! As you know, I think Pavie ROCKS!
We’re going to arrange for people to publish their own articles in the near fugture. Would you like to write something for California wines?
Indeed. I would be happy to contribute.
Hi Panos… It’s great seeing you post. Thanks.
I wonder if you will find 09 VCC to be better than in 05 when it’s in bottle? What do you think?
Ki… 98 Trotanoy is one of the best Pomerol wines I’ve ever had. As I wrote to Renee, 08 and 09 are probably better wines!
Do you think we should do a Trotanoy dinner?
Kim… You have great taste. I love 1990 Bordeaux too. I’ve been tasting as many as possible over the past several months. I will write an article on all the wines tasted at the end of the year.
Leoville Barton.
Beside loving this wine year in and year out, I think we should all appreciate the effort here to keep prices at a reasonable level.
Traci… I am with you on the 1982 La Mission Haut Brion! But I think for me, 1989 and 2000 are even better!!! Have you tasted them?
Simon… You are right. Starting with 2005 Chateau Palmer became very expensive. For me, the best vintages for the money of Palmer are 2004 and 2008. They are both great wines and sell for a fair price.
It may not be the best wine in the world, but Chateau la Raze Beauvallet. Simply because it was the wine that sparked my love affair with Bordeaux wines, and in particular those of the Medoc.
Jef, if I win, can I turn my Bordeaux into old Chateauneuf du Pape or côte Rotie ? 🙂
Salut Jef,
I would say TERTRE ROTEBOEUF when it gets 15 and more yers old. This is the “Burgundy” of Bordeaux. Delicate.
I like Calon Segur !!!
What a great wine
Palmer… unfortunately it got a very bad QPR in the last years, even for a Bordeaux
Leoville Barton. Love the tannins haha
Pavie. The ONLY Bordeaux I could love.
Just one château? I guess if I had to pick one, taking into account price quality ratios (that excludes the first growths) it would be Vieux Château Certan 2005.
1998 Chateau Trotanoy
Just about anything from the 1990 vintage.
Angelus has never failed to please….but…if money isn’t a consideration….Haut Brion and Margaux…always make me smile too!
1982 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. LOVE!
Rene… Trotanoy! You are a a woman after my own heart. You heard it here first. 2008 and 2009 Trotanoy are the wines to own. Grab the 2008, it’s off the charts and sells for a lot less money than the 2009.
Tom… Lynch Bages from the 80’s is the read deal. However, 2009 Lynch Bages is as good, and possibly even better than 89 or 90 Lynch Bages! And that is saying something. By coincidence, we just published a long article from Jean-Michel Cazes on the replanting of the Lynch Bages vineyards.
http://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/2010/09/bordeaux-wine-chateau-owner-jean-michel-cazes-of-lynch-bages-discusses-big-changes-in-bordeaux-vineyards/
Please let me know what you think.
So tough to choose just one, Jeff! As much as I love the Left Bank & St. Emilion, I’ve got to go to Pomerol and say Trotanoy is my fave. Cheers, dear.
Gerhard… La Conseillante is one of my favorite wines as well. Have you ever tasted any other vintages?
Tobias… 53 Petit village sounds like a treat! Color me jealous on that one.
Kris… I am right there with you on Pontet Canet.
For me definitely the 1994 La Conseillante that I got as a present!!
With a Chateaubriand steak! was just perfect!!!
Petit-Village. A 53 was my first aged, spicy and profound eye-opener.
Hard to pick just one…but if pressed I would go with Lynch Bages. Still love their wines from the 80’s.
Pontet Canet- since 1996 quality has gone thru the roof and until recently the price has been very reasonable, and only compared with Pontet Canet’s historical pricing do the current releases look expensive. All of this while producing a wine that rivals First Growth’s year in and out, many time out-performing Mouton Rothschild at a fraction of the cost in any vintage. This is a property that everyone in BDX and the world for that matter should try to emulate, produce the best wine you can while keeping it in a category that enables it to be a consumable versus a collectible, or a brand (like Prada or Louis Vuitton).
Cheers, KP
2005 Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot
What a fine bday gift this would be to me!
9/28
aloha,
Tracy