2012 bordeaux

[Dave Poppons]

Anyone have information on the 2012 Bordeaux/Sauternes/burgundy growing conditions? Thanks

[Jeff Leve]

Dave... It's too early to tell, especially in Sauternes. I know that flowering was uneven. 2012 could be good, moderate or light at this stage of the game. It's unlikely the year will turn out great. My guess is, and it's a guess, 2012 will be a winemakers vintage in Bordeaux. With luck, another good, but unexciting vintage will help push prices down.

[Dave Poppons]

thanks Jeff and I hope prices come down so we can enjoy the wines we love. There's just such a limited supply of great wine the winemakers almost have carte blanche to set prices wherever they wish. Maybe that will signal others around the world to produce wines as good or better than bordeaux.

[Jeff Leve]

thanks Jeff and I hope prices come down so we can enjoy the wines we love. the winemakers almost have carte blanche to set prices wherever they wish.

Dave... Producers can set the prices as high as they like. But if the public refuses to buy the wines, they are going to need to be discounted, which hurts the brand. While producers want to make as much money as possible, at least the smart ones realize they need to set prices that consumers are willing to pay.

Knowing that you are a big fan of sweet Bordeaux wine, are you buying 2011 Sauternes?

[Dave Poppons]

Thank you kindly for remembering. I have already purchased two cases of Rabaud-promis and plan to purchase some rayne-vigneau as I prefer the Sauternes flavor profile over barsac. For 2010 I bought three cases of Sigalas Rabaud. When we were in Bordeaux we met laure's father at the winery and I tasted their 2010 right from the barrel and really loved it: creamy unctuous juice, basically ready to drink and we had a couple of bottles at ch. De salles. It has the taste of peanut brickle (not creme brouillet which I really hate in a Sauternes). Martin was the only Sauternes reviewer who picked out this amazing taste so I am warming up to his reviews. I still don't have him pegged in terms of knowing exactly what he prefers but he gave the 2001 d'YQuem 100 points twice and that is, hands down the greatest Sauternes I have ever tasted. So I am putting my faith in Neil Martin and we will see... I guess the demand for Sauternes is low so when the 2011 finally make their voyage to the modern world I can just purchase them in a store. But it's much more exciting buying en primeur: the gamble, the waiting with baited breath, and finally, the arrival as thrilling as receiving a Christmas package.

For 2009 I purchased one case each of Sigalas-Rabaud, suduiraut and doisy daene as Martin raved about those three Sauternes. I also bought another case of 2001 la tour Blanche as I had gone through the two cases I bought on futures. One of the sleepers of the 2001 Sauternes vintage was clos haut Peyraguey which has an incredible lemony character along with the usual flavors of the region. Martin's review of the 09 suduiraut implies it's the best he has ever tasted so I might purchase more when I finally taste it because I have had some issues in terms of longevity with this chateaux. I guess I compare it to d'YQuem and it simply doesn't last as long as the crowned king. David