I actually started doing something similar two years ago.
For 2014 and 2015 I have bought a case consisting of Grand-Puy-Lacoste (3x), Cantemerle (3x), Canon-la-Gaffeliere (3x), and Langoa Barton (3x).
No idea of whether it will work out, but I figured that if I am going to buy without having drank very much Bordeaux, I can at least start building some verticals as an experiment. To be honest, at least initially, I am probably going to open a bottle of each fairly early on, since I don’t want to wait 5 years before deciding that I don’t like something. I’ll then hold onto the rest and see how it goes.
Got an email from Flickingers today offering a bunch of Chateau d’Armailhac from various vintages:
55 2005 Ch. d’ Armailhac Pauillac ETA November 2016 ex-negociant
WA 90 (6/2015): D’Armailhac’s 2005 offers notes of cedar wood, forest floor, black and red currants, spice box and earth. It is medium-bodied, relatively soft for a 2005, and best drunk over the next 12-15 years.
$69.89 WA 90
60 2010 Ch. d’ Armailhac Pauillac ETA November 2016 ex-negociant
WA 93 (2/2013): Another sensational effort from Philippe Dhaluin, the administrator of Mouton Rothschild, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot shows complex floral notes intermixed with forest floor, camphor, black currants and mulberries that all jump from the glass of this aromatic style of d’Armailhac. This wine possesses very good acidity, a surprisingly higher percentage of Merlot than usual, but the quality is impressive, and the good news is that there are 20,000 cases of this full-bodied beauty, which should age nicely for 15-20+ years.
$56.89 WA 93
Thanks everyone so much for the suggestions and info, I definitely feel WAY More comfortable picking stuff than I did yesterday! I think I’ll grab a few older bottles from a few producers to kind of test out what I like, how old is “old enough” do you think? Is the mid-late 90’s far enough along to make some kind of determination? I guess 1996 is 20 years ago, man that makes me feel old all of a sudden D:
Not a fan of Canon la Gaff, but the other three are total winners for my palate. Bought all three in 2014 and own many other vintages. You picked some goodies. They do need some time, but I have to admit, the 09 and 10 Cantemerle were pretty smokin right out of the gates. I’d not touch the GPL, let them sleep 10 years minimum.
Easy to find many 2000s that are starting to enter their drinking window, fairly priced and with solid provenance. I’ve been backfilling a bit lately, but am not really that enamored with many vintages in the 1990s (these are more selective, producer-oriented purchase for me), so I look more to the 1980s and some 2000s and even occasional 2005s (which need lots of time). If you have the money, many producers knocked it out of the ballpark in the 1990 and 1989 vintages. These vintages are, therefore, priced accordingly. Going back that far, only work with reputable retailers.
I really like the d’Armailhacs that Howard highlighted above. I’ve recently had 2000, 03, 05, 06. All very good. I may actually go grab those 2010s, thanks Howard!
It really kind of depends on what you are looking for in the way of a vintage. A lot of 2001s and 2004s are drinking pretty well right now. 2005 will be a great vintage, but tastes a bit younger right now. I did not buy that much Bordeaux in the 1990s so am weaker on those vintages. I tend to like 1996 more than 1995, but a lot of people are the opposite and I cannot really say whether the difference is my insufficient experience with wines from these vintages. If you can find wines from 1983, 1985, 1988 or 1989, get them. One vintage that is not that much in favor these days (not like 82 or 90) where the wines can be really good is 1970. Once in a while you can find one of those and they can be spectacular. There are some really good and decently priced 1978s, 1979s and 1981s out there, but I would not buy without recommendations because there also are some dead ones.