2007 Bordeaux - has anyone tried some of the wines?

WINE TALK
1

I took a flyer on a few cheapies despite the negative press (or lack of any in WA’s case) b/c they sound (from Gilman and WS notes) like they could actually be enjoyable to drink, like Lagrange/Chateau Gloria/Phelan Segur.

So my question is, has anyone popped a bottle or two? Ready to drink now? Hold to flesh out a little?

2

I’ve been curious about this as well. I’m sure 07 prices are going to plummet as shops try to clear the shelves for 09s in the near future.

3

peter, I haven’t bought anything in bottle yet, but I was pleasantly surprised by them at UGC back in jan. Definitely not an even vintage, but I did think that there were some nice wines and when the prices come down on them that they’d be definitely worth buying

I thought that st julien did the best based on what was there to taste and that margaux did the worst, but there were lots of ups and downs within those appellations

4

Sheez, '07s are out?! I have not even tried the '06s! :wink:

But did just buy some more '05s today and an early release '08 - Mathilde. Giving it a whirl tonight.

5

They still got to make room for the 08s first! So, yeah, they’ll have to take huge hits on 2007 and even possibly the “well-priced” 2008s before the 2009s drop in.

6

I think my Top 10 so far, in no particular order, are:

l’Eglise Clinet
Dom de Chevalier (rouge to be clear)
La Mission
Las Cases
Cheval Blanc
Clinet
l’Evangile
Haut Bailly
La Fleur Petrus
La Conseillante

There are a few others I liked, but mostly I haven’t tried that many (all of the Firsts for example).

7

Beychevelle and Clinet were very good. I thought the 07 Clinet was a little tight though, preferred the 07 Fleur de Clinet (their 2nd wine) for value and more short term drinking.

8

Overall I thought Pomerol showed the best. Of those Gazin and Clinet were the best. Sauturnes were also stellar. Otherwise I was not that overly impressed with most of them.

I am not sure how much discounting we will really see. I had thought that the '06’s were going to be heavily discounted, and compared to 05 they were. I am hopful though, that the 07’s will be priced accordingly, because I think this recession is going to be going on for years to come…

9

Cool, keep the drinkable ones coming.

I’m going to open a Gloria this weekend for sure, perhaps Lagrange, too.

10

If you search the forum, I posted a TN for 2007 Trotanoy a couple of months ago. Sensationally good classic Bordeaux- and it will be ready sooner rather than later. At $85 per it was a definite buy- but that is about the only 2007 I am interested in that I have seen at a really good QPR price relative to current market.

Had the 2006 Trotanoy at lunch today- will put a note up tomorrow after revisiting it. Also a steal- less than the 07 was. For some reason, recent vintages of Trotanoy are nicely priced lately if you take the time to go digging around.

11

I do think there will be deals on 2007s. 2008 it is hard to know. That is the vintage where Diageo dropped out, and my 3-tier retail sources are all looking at trying to get 2008s from new wholesale sources as the wines get released- but with their minds more attuned to the futures/prearrival prices originally quoted to US distribution BEFORE the WA scores came out and massive price increases went into effect.

What happens to the 2008s under new distribution patterns in the US in terms of quantity and price will tell a lot about the short term prospects for the worldwide Bordeaux market.

12

So this weekend I opened the following three 07 Bdx, here are some impressions. I’ve included prices as I think that will prove to be important in selecting which (if any) to buy:

2007 Chateau Gloria
$21 - Amazing aromatics, smelled like a burgundy! But this tasted like a 2004 red burgundy palate-wise. There was that mirepoix/celery root component evident in some 04 red burgs. I still enjoyed it with food, if it can lose that characteristic it will be even better. It is very light in body though, not for the milkshake or vintage of the century crowd for sure. Even for those who like restrained cabs or bdx blends, sample one before buying more.

2007 Chateau Phelan Segur
$18 - More weight than the Gloria and devoid of any green character. Was still a bit tight even on day two when it was decanted and was a great match with simple grilled chicken. Plenty of substance and elegant.

2007 Chateau Lagrange (St. Julien)
$29 - The best of the lot, though it also cost twice as much as the two aforementioned wines at $29. This hit my Bdx sweet spot, mixing in earthy/minerally elements alongside floral notes and red currant fruit. Plenty of fruit and structure here, reminds me of the 04 vintage of this wine, though I found the 04 more tannic when I last had it. I kept thinking of a Mount Eden Estate Cabernet as I finished the bottle.

13

Thanks for the notes Peter. I am attempting to organize an 07 BDX tasting and if it happens will be sure to post notes.

14

Just last night I had the red Château Carbonnieux 2007, was an informal dinner so didn’t take any notes but I do remember it having the stuffing, so to speak that the vintage did not come through that much. Overall great balance and well integrated oak, really good acidic, tannic structure and even some sweet fruit but was very approachable and came through with a good steak! Best of all a real value play as well, the château has been a positive surprise for me!
Seek it out, I am!! [cheers.gif]

15

Peter,
Was this the Lagrange St. Julien or Pomerol? (And if the former, who’s selling it at that price?)

16

St. Julien - sorry, I’ll update my post. It was at the NH Liquor store, doesn’t look like many retailers are offering 07s at this point.

17

Eager to get this scheduled. I think last time we talked about this, Barde Haut, Branaire Ducru, Haut Bailly, Leoville Barton, Lynch Bages, Malescot and Pontet Canet were the wines of choice…


[thumbs-up.gif]

18

I’d be interested in this.

19

Almost grabbed some Branaire but opted for the Lagrange - I’d be curious about that one.

20

Interesting notes. '07 Prieure-Lichine was quite delicious and approachable a few weeks ago. It’s not a big wine, though P-L never is.

Peter - I am curious about your math though - how is $29 twice as much as either $18 or $21?