If you could go back in time and collect one Bordeaux wine consistently over the years...?

[William_Kelley]

Oh and one other note based on your 30 year later drinking comment
-make sure you like very old wine as it is a style you need to make sure you like as it has relatively little fruit and more earthy components and does take getting used to
-perhaps create a cellar that you can drink from now and after your 65 years old so you can enjoy the wines, see how they develop with time and make sure you even like what you have sitting and aging

Very good advice. I’ve met several people that do not like aged wine, they have discovered they prefer bordeaux in the 8-15 year window. I bought some 1966 Cantemerle at auction to see if I liked old wine, turns out I do, but I also like the newer stuff. Imagine how horrible it would be in 25 years to start opening some wine and realize you don’t like it. That would suck.

Seriously good advice. Honestly, my old wine experience has been scattered. I have had some random 90’s Bordeaux’s like cantemerle, Pichon, etc. The most memorable bottle was a 1955 Latour…which was interesting. The most interesting part to me was the acidity and secondary flavors (graphite/saline). It was good though. I think I would like aged Bordeaux more and more because I simply only love new world wines that usually get reviews that say “restrained style”, “claret like”, are low alchohol, and have decent acidity. I definitely like newer Bordeaux as well as I have bought probably 20-30 different 2014-2016’s.

Well-stored bottles of the 1955 Latour still have plenty of currant/red berry fruit. Admittedly, it isn’t necessarily easy to source really impeccable bottles of old wines, but great old wines still taste fresh—just more complex, more texturally sumptuous. That is true, whether we’re talking about e.g. 1928, 1961, 1982 or 1996.

[Markus_S]

for me, going back in time I would probably try to get LMHB each year. its unaffordable for me now and has been since I started getting into wine. but 20 years ago…?

I think it was always pricey, vis a vis the other Bordeaux. This is not going to answer Nate’s question, but I’ve always had a fondness for Pichon Lalande. Styles have changed so much over the last 30 years that I have a difficult time sussing out what would be of interest to me nowadays. Sorry.

[Arv_R]

If I had a magic time machine I wish I could have gotten more La Tour Haut Brion, Les Carmes Haut Brion, and Figeac over the years. And been more careful glugging back Latour a Pomerol…

Still happy that I got to enjoy them as much as I did though.

OP: There’s an ocean of great wine out there, both in and beyond Bordeaux, so don’t beat yourself up too much over this. Years from now, you’ll chuckle over bottles you’ll pull with old school price tags still on them…

[Mike_Hawkins]

Pichon Lalande, Pichon Baron and Pontet Canet

[Andrew_K]

Petrus
Le Pin

[Nate_M]

And the classic cellar defender, Sociando (by the case load, or 2x in vintages like 2014)

What does this term mean? It would guard against bad vintages, inflation, bad expensive bottles, good expensive bottles?

[Ron_Erickson]

Staying in the reasonable lane, I’d channel d’Armailhac or Clerc Milon from Pauillac, Talbot, LaGrange or Gloria from St Julien, Giscours and it’s stable mate du Tertre, or Prieure Lichine from Margaux.

[Nate_M]

You don’t wanna go back in time. The Bordeaux coming out now are both better and cheaper than what they were putting out 10 years ago. Back up the truck on the 2016s while you still can & buy broadly.

This is literally my last month. I bought a ton of 2016’s $20-70 off of wine.com with all those coupon codes:)

[Jayson_Cohen]

A lot of bang for your buck with Haut Bailly these days compared to others IMO. You can backfill for decades and buy current releases.

[Jeremy_Holmes]

Lunch bags

[Julian_Marshall]

It really depends on what sort of Bordeaux you like, but if I had to choose a few stalwarts which seldom disappoint, it would be:

Léoville-Barton
Sociando Mallet - try the 01, 04 and 08 among recent vintages - excellent value
Giscours - but not from the 90s
Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre
Lagrange
Gruaud Larose
Domaine de Chevalier - but you need to be careful because of the style change (03 or 04, not sure when)

[Robert.A.Jr]

And the classic cellar defender, Sociando (by the case load, or 2x in vintages like 2014)

What does this term mean? It would guard against bad vintages, inflation, bad expensive bottles, good expensive bottles?

Protects your other more expensive goodies from being popped on a Tuesday night, on a whim for example, when you feel like drinking a mature Bordeaux. I think for Bordeaux fans, it is also important to have a notable chunk of Cru Bordeaux in their cellars, maturing, for regular drinking. Build up the pipeline now. One of the beauties of Bordeaux is their ability to mature and gain complexity through that process, even among many of the lower-priced wines. I had a 2000 Lanessan this week that was singing.

[MChang]

Leoville Barton
Cantenac Brown

[Mattstolz]

for me, going back in time I would probably try to get LMHB each year. its unaffordable for me now and has been since I started getting into wine. but 20 years ago…?

I think it was always pricey, vis a vis the other Bordeaux. This is not going to answer Nate’s question, but I’ve always had a fondness for Pichon Lalande. Styles have changed so much over the last 30 years that I have a difficult time sussing out what would be of interest to me nowadays. Sorry.

PLL is a great call. I always enjoy them when I open and its been consistent quality for a long time.

And the classic cellar defender, Sociando (by the case load, or 2x in vintages like 2014)

What does this term mean? It would guard against bad vintages, inflation, bad expensive bottles, good expensive bottles?

cellar defenders are bottles that are cheap enough that you can open them and not feel bad about it and still enjoy it immensely , “defending” your expensive bottles that you want to cellar longer (or possibly share with a crowd who appreciates the nuances more).

[Nate_M]

I like Alfert’s list, but for me put Haut Brion at the head of the list. Way over $100 now, but up until the 1990s or so…

Who’s is Alfert and where is his list? Thanks in advance.

[Robert.A.Jr]

I like Alfert’s list, but for me put Haut Brion at the head of the list. Way over $100 now, but up until the 1990s or so…

Who’s is Alfert and where is his list? Thanks in advance.

He is the really studly, good-looking dude from Post Numbers 14 and 15. I know him well, his palate for Bordeaux is golden.

I would concur with the Doc’s recommendation, except who the heck can afford Chateau Haut Brion these days!? It’s glorious stuff. Had a 1982 last week that was easily my WOTY.

[Andrew_K]

I would concur with the Doc’s recommendation, except who the heck can afford Chateau Haut Brion these days!? It’s glorious stuff. Had a 1982 last week that was easily my WOTY.

I’m glad to hear it’s finally ready. The bottle I had around 2011 was still tight and closed.

[Jerry_Hey]

Lynch Bages

[Nate_M]

I like Alfert’s list, but for me put Haut Brion at the head of the list. Way over $100 now, but up until the 1990s or so…

Who’s is Alfert and where is his list? Thanks in advance.

He is the really studly, good-looking dude from Post Numbers 14 and 15. I know him well, his palate for Bordeaux is golden.

I would concur with the Doc’s recommendation, except who the heck can afford Chateau Haut Brion these days!? It’s glorious stuff. Had a 1982 last week that was easily my WOTY.

Is that the “A” in your initials or a nickname?

[G_Bienstock]

Rausan Segla is a sentimental favorite. I got a screaming deal on a case of 85 in the early 90’s and was instantly smitten.