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Bordeaux trip 2007-Update #1

Bordeaux trip 2007 Update

So it is 1:50am here in Bordeaux and the trip is going amazingly well. I have been to Chateau Margaux, Le Gay, Brane Cantenac, Haut Brisson, Reignac and Cos D’estrounel. I am really excited about a lot of the wines I have tasted and I can honestly say I am absolutely floored by the quality of the 2005’s! I am extremely surprised how shockingly good the 2004 and 2006 vintages that I have tasted are. I am very worried that the 2006 prices will be high(which would be too bad since they seem good), the wines seem very strong and the 2006 Cos was a 95-97 point wine but after the huge 2005 futures rush anything short of a 35-50% reduction in price will result in a soft market. The 2004 have been a huge surprise and I am really blown away by the freshness and elegance of these wines and given the prices there will be some real steals. I will not say much about the 2005 except that the 2005 Margaux I had was the best young wine I have ever had and I scored it a 100! I have also been in many meetings tasting wines and have had a few very special dinners with friends. Below are the scores only from the trip so far.

Chateau Margaux 2005—100
Chateau Margaux 2004—95
Cos D’Estrounel 2006—95-97
Chateau Haut Brion 2003—94
Cheval Blanc 2003—94
Chateau Pichon Lalande 1996—96
Brane-Cantenac 2004—90
Brane-Cantenac 2005—92-95
Brane-Cantenac 2006—87-90
Brane-Cantenac 1985—90
Chateau Leoville Barton 2004—90
Chateau Angelus 2004—93
Chateau Montrose 2004—91
Chateau Pontet Canet 2004—94+
Chateau Pichon Lalande 2004—92
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1962—91 🙂
Reignac 2001—89
Reignac 2002—88+?
Reignac 2003—90
Reignac 2004—90
Reignac 2005—92-94
Balthus 2004—93
Balthus 2005—94-96
Balthus 2006—92-95
Le Gay 2005—98+
Le Gay 2006—93-95

Surprises of the trip so far.

Monbousquet 2002—92 I have had many bad 2002’s on this trip but this has it going on.
Chateau Montviel 2005—92-95 Man is this winery on the rise
Couvent Des Jaconins St Emilion 2000—91 What is this?


I have had many more and at least 200+ that I scored under 86 points, I also had a slew of 1st growths that were older but need to go and look at the notes. I miss you guys. I have a WHOLE lot more tasting coming up!
Question of the Day: What are you doing without WLTV?

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  • Dom

    Wow, 200+ wines under 86 pts? Your taste buds must be going nuts!

    Glad to see the Reignac is holding it’s own. I thought the 2000 was a stellar bottle of wine.

    QOTD: No basketball, no WLTV? Not much else going on. Glad all is well in Bordeaux. I can now go to bed.

    Au revoir!

  • BotaBag

    Thanks for the update. I think that it works better than just not having anything. QOTD- I got through episode 200 today…Finally. Peace.

  • Dave-from-Katonah

    QOTD – Drinking some 2003 Charbonniere Vacqueyras and watching old WLTV episodes, as usual. Also, looking into buying some more Rhone syrahs. Got my Grand Cru Pecorino (ep 199) from Justin today, and …WOW…is that some kinda special cheese!! Thanks for the free overnightshipping!! Have a safe trip and thanks for the update!

  • QOTD – Drinking some 2003 Charbonniere Vacqueyras and watching old WLTV episodes, as usual. Also, looking into buying some more Rhone syrahs. Got my Grand Cru Pecorino (ep 199) from Justin today, and …WOW…is that some kinda special cheese!! Thanks for the free overnightshipping!! Have a safe trip and thanks for the update!

  • wannaBconnoiseur

    QOTD: Missing WLTV!

  • wannaBconnoiseur

    QOTD: Missing WLTV!

  • TommyBoBo of WI

    1) not spending a small fortune on wine,, this week.
    2)getting re- acquainted with my wife and children
    3)jumping for joy that you still think the Montviel is wonderful
    4)sitting here feeling warm and fuzzy that my kids will love me for buying some cases of 05 Bordeaux for them.
    5)trying to think of a way to hide the Visa bill from my wife! ouch.
    Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

  • TommyBoBo of WI

    1) not spending a small fortune on wine,, this week.
    2)getting re- acquainted with my wife and children
    3)jumping for joy that you still think the Montviel is wonderful
    4)sitting here feeling warm and fuzzy that my kids will love me for buying some cases of 05 Bordeaux for them.
    5)trying to think of a way to hide the Visa bill from my wife! ouch.
    Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

  • Justin

    What am I doing without WLTV? Well I am bored…I am on the forum like 24/7… And I have been lining up all sorts of job interviews in Napa for my trip there next week. Thats about it. Hope your having fun you lucky SOB!

  • AlisonD

    Hi Gary, Glad you are having a good time! This was a nice change…thanks for the “postcard”…

  • Justin

    What am I doing without WLTV? Well I am bored…I am on the forum like 24/7… And I have been lining up all sorts of job interviews in Napa for my trip there next week. Thats about it. Hope your having fun you lucky SOB!

  • AlisonD

    Hi Gary, Glad you are having a good time! This was a nice change…thanks for the “postcard”…

  • Dubya El TV, where are you? I need my wino fix now.
    (Sung to the Scooby Doo tune)

    Was wondering where is Gary, until I looked at the site and was reminded that you’re in Bordeaux tasting 100 pt. wines. I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering, but what-does-100-point-wine-taste-like? Just imagining makes me mad (the British usage). Argh!

  • Dubya El TV, where are you? I need my wino fix now.
    (Sung to the Scooby Doo tune)

    Was wondering where is Gary, until I looked at the site and was reminded that you’re in Bordeaux tasting 100 pt. wines. I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering, but what-does-100-point-wine-taste-like? Just imagining makes me mad (the British usage). Argh!

  • AlanL

    It sounds like you’re having a great trip.

    QOTD: I discovered and signed up for the WLTV forum…

  • AlanL

    It sounds like you’re having a great trip.

    QOTD: I discovered and signed up for the WLTV forum…

  • stevo

    QOTD: Around noon I find the will to get out of bed, put on some pants (one leg at a time), and then catch up on past episodes.

    Actually, I’ve done a lot of schoolwork. This is my last semester and exams are 6 weeks away so it’s about that time.

  • stevo

    QOTD: Around noon I find the will to get out of bed, put on some pants (one leg at a time), and then catch up on past episodes.

    Actually, I’ve done a lot of schoolwork. This is my last semester and exams are 6 weeks away so it’s about that time.

  • QOTD: Becoming more confident in my own palate thanks to taking a little bit of Gary and a lot of me. I may not be changing the entire wine world but I am bringing it to Western Colorado! 🙂

  • QOTD: Becoming more confident in my own palate thanks to taking a little bit of Gary and a lot of me. I may not be changing the entire wine world but I am bringing it to Western Colorado! 🙂

  • jonochicago

    QOTD: Sipping back a vottle of the Hammond Pinot Noir- NICE Now I have to order a case. Bring back some bargians Gary- Maybe a cheap Margeaux? 😉

  • Susan

    Gar-
    Thanks for the update.
    We love the details.
    Glad you are enjoying the great french wines.
    Can’t wait until we have new eps!
    Looking forward to the french wines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    QOD:
    I have 3 jobs sooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..
    not bored!

  • jonochicago

    QOTD: Sipping back a vottle of the Hammond Pinot Noir- NICE Now I have to order a case. Bring back some bargians Gary- Maybe a cheap Margeaux? 😉

  • Susan

    Gar-
    Thanks for the update.
    We love the details.
    Glad you are enjoying the great french wines.
    Can’t wait until we have new eps!
    Looking forward to the french wines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    QOD:
    I have 3 jobs sooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..
    not bored!

  • Claudio

    QOTD – without WLTV, what else!? Planning the Chicago offline tasting!!! 🙂

  • Claudio

    QOTD – without WLTV, what else!? Planning the Chicago offline tasting!!! 🙂

  • H-Why

    QOTD: I’m suffering Gary. Even after the epic #200 episode, I still need my WLTV fix. As a regular lurker, I will say that you do a fabulous job. Informative, educational and loads of fun. Keep up the good work. I promise to order a case each month if you keep doing episodes.

    By the way, I could totally see having you do maybe 2-3 episodes per week and a blog post like this. 5 episodes a week seems like way too much work, but if it makes Wine Library into the Internet Wine Juggernaut that it can be, then the effort pays off.

  • H-Why

    QOTD: I’m suffering Gary. Even after the epic #200 episode, I still need my WLTV fix. As a regular lurker, I will say that you do a fabulous job. Informative, educational and loads of fun. Keep up the good work. I promise to order a case each month if you keep doing episodes.

    By the way, I could totally see having you do maybe 2-3 episodes per week and a blog post like this. 5 episodes a week seems like way too much work, but if it makes Wine Library into the Internet Wine Juggernaut that it can be, then the effort pays off.

  • NathanN

    Thanks for dropping us a note!

    Have fun, work hard, and enjoy your trip. Can’t wait to see ya back on WLTV.

    QOTD: Keep checking out what is happening in the Chicago forum. I can’t wait!

  • NathanN

    Thanks for dropping us a note!

    Have fun, work hard, and enjoy your trip. Can’t wait to see ya back on WLTV.

    QOTD: Keep checking out what is happening in the Chicago forum. I can’t wait!

  • Jennifer

    QOTD: Feeling sorry for myself. Sulking. Pathetic.

    BUT I got my order in from WL. Unbelievable. Granted, I’m just upstate, but Bryan sent me an e-mail last night and I received it this morning. Wow! I’m looking forward to my Syrah, and to your return! Safe travels. Thanks for all the scores. Looks very exciting! Yum.

  • Jennifer

    QOTD: Feeling sorry for myself. Sulking. Pathetic.

    BUT I got my order in from WL. Unbelievable. Granted, I’m just upstate, but Bryan sent me an e-mail last night and I received it this morning. Wow! I’m looking forward to my Syrah, and to your return! Safe travels. Thanks for all the scores. Looks very exciting! Yum.

  • Russ J

    Yeah, yeah, tasting lots of wines. Very pleasant, I am sure, but are you making any good deals?

  • waibeans

    WOW! Thank _you_ Gary for this very informative update to your Bordeaux trip. I just logged on haphazardly to see what was up and saw that amazing piece. Its a VERY interesting step for what WLTV can really offer viewers and vayniacs alike.

    QOD: I have been taking a deserved break from life this past weekend which also included the internet. Thanks for still being here GV when I got back 😉

  • Russ J

    Yeah, yeah, tasting lots of wines. Very pleasant, I am sure, but are you making any good deals?

  • waibeans

    WOW! Thank _you_ Gary for this very informative update to your Bordeaux trip. I just logged on haphazardly to see what was up and saw that amazing piece. Its a VERY interesting step for what WLTV can really offer viewers and vayniacs alike.

    QOD: I have been taking a deserved break from life this past weekend which also included the internet. Thanks for still being here GV when I got back 😉

  • Deano

    Hey Gary it looks like you are having a good time over there. Dont have too much fun we want you to come back to the show lol.

    QOTD: I am bored waiting and waiting for the return of gary v.

  • Deano

    Hey Gary it looks like you are having a good time over there. Dont have too much fun we want you to come back to the show lol.

    QOTD: I am bored waiting and waiting for the return of gary v.

  • QOTD:

    sitting in my cage :'(

  • QOTD:

    sitting in my cage :'(

  • Jerry the 2THDR

    QOTD: Going to sleep earlier each night. 2thdr

  • Jerry the 2THDR

    QOTD: Going to sleep earlier each night. 2thdr

  • Trish da’ Dish

    Just like Justin, I’ve been hanging about on your WLTV Forum more than usual. And this is a very good thing, because by doing so, I have met some new, nice, fun, people, and I have also have gotten to know in a bit more detail another nice individual whom I had already met.

  • Trish da’ Dish

    Just like Justin, I’ve been hanging about on your WLTV Forum more than usual. And this is a very good thing, because by doing so, I have met some new, nice, fun, people, and I have also have gotten to know in a bit more detail another nice individual whom I had already met.

  • QOTD: I am drinking 28 year old Glenmorangie Tain L’Hermitage single malt scotch! Hey, it was finished for three years in wine casks, so that’s kind of like drinking wine? After yesterday I needed something a little stronger…

  • QOTD: I am drinking 28 year old Glenmorangie Tain L’Hermitage single malt scotch! Hey, it was finished for three years in wine casks, so that’s kind of like drinking wine? After yesterday I needed something a little stronger…

  • QOTD: In the fetal position, rockin’ back-n-forth.

  • QOTD: In the fetal position, rockin’ back-n-forth.

  • Wow Gary, What a vacation…errr a working trip! We do miss you and hope you are enjoying all the HAAAARD WORK tasting through Bordeaux and dinners with friends. We had a great Walla Walla winemakers tasting tonight with Trey from Basel Cellars and Justin Wiley from Va Piano. 108 wineries in Walla Walla with a population base of only 58,000 people in the county, 35,000 in the town of Walla Walla – and they still grow famous onions and asparagus.
    Planning next month’s tasting: The April AVA Adventure – Really good wines [made in Idaho] from varietals you cannot pronounce from areas you’ve never visited [educational historical
    origins] Lemberger – Caymus Prairie Sparkler… Muller Thurgau and Zweigelt = two golds [not Zwiegeist = sweet ghost] Gruner Veltliner all from Snake River Winery. Perhaps winemaker Austrian Chef Scott and Susan DeSeelhorst could come and present these and their Barbera with some appropriate finger foods or chef’s creations. Tannat and Touriga Nacional – Ted Judd Tempranillo and Petit Verdot – Brad Pintler – Sawtooth A Total of 9 wines.
    If one, two or all four of the winemakers could come and talk about their
    grapes [and AVA research]…that would be super educational extra specialosis!
    We miss your cheery announcements, but the postcard was great to get and wonserful to hear that you were impressed with the 2004’s .
    Have Fun and learn lots to share with us – not in withdrawal YET !

  • Wow Gary, What a vacation…errr a working trip! We do miss you and hope you are enjoying all the HAAAARD WORK tasting through Bordeaux and dinners with friends. We had a great Walla Walla winemakers tasting tonight with Trey from Basel Cellars and Justin Wiley from Va Piano. 108 wineries in Walla Walla with a population base of only 58,000 people in the county, 35,000 in the town of Walla Walla – and they still grow famous onions and asparagus.
    Planning next month’s tasting: The April AVA Adventure – Really good wines [made in Idaho] from varietals you cannot pronounce from areas you’ve never visited [educational historical
    origins] Lemberger – Caymus Prairie Sparkler… Muller Thurgau and Zweigelt = two golds [not Zwiegeist = sweet ghost] Gruner Veltliner all from Snake River Winery. Perhaps winemaker Austrian Chef Scott and Susan DeSeelhorst could come and present these and their Barbera with some appropriate finger foods or chef’s creations. Tannat and Touriga Nacional – Ted Judd Tempranillo and Petit Verdot – Brad Pintler – Sawtooth A Total of 9 wines.
    If one, two or all four of the winemakers could come and talk about their
    grapes [and AVA research]…that would be super educational extra specialosis!
    We miss your cheery announcements, but the postcard was great to get and wonserful to hear that you were impressed with the 2004’s .
    Have Fun and learn lots to share with us – not in withdrawal YET !

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