Die ProWein bietet in ihrem Rahmenprogramm unzählige Events, die einen die verschiedensten Themengebiete näher bringen. Beispielsweise hat man dort auch die Möglichkeit in die dunkelsten Ebenen des Weins abzutauchen. Dort, wo Gestalten mit farbstoffgeschwärzten Lippen und Daumen Ihre Kreise ziehen, wo Flocken violettschwarzer Tannine wie der Ascheregen nach einem Vulkanausbrauch den Gaumen in sekundenschnelle mit einer zentimeterdicken Decke überziehen.

Die Rede ist von der Probe junger Bordeaux-Weine, und so dunkel das jetzt auch klang, so groß war meine Freude die Grand Crus des Jahres 2010 im Rahmen der ProWein zu verkosten. Die UGCB hatte geladen, und alle waren sie da, um die Weine dieses sehr guten Jahrgangs zu probieren! Ein paar knappe Notizen habe ich mitbgebracht: Read the rest of this entry »

Just a quick update on the 2004 Château Pontet-Canet since my last taste of it, a year ago. The wine certainly has changed, shows much less closed than last time, but still has some years to go before peaking.
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Lafite bottles at Frankfurt Airport Duty Free

When talking about China and wine, “Château Lafite” is an inevitable topic, such big is the hype about this famous Pauillac estate. Some say the success of this Château in particular is linked to its uncomplicated name compared to other Bordeaux Chateaux’; it has a brand-name-quality to it which probably also helped making it the ultimate gift in China. Everyone receiving a bottle of Lafite as a gift would instantly recognize its value . Read the rest of this entry »

Last thursday we were about 10 wine-buddies gathering at our generous host Nick‘s home for a blind-tasting of red Rhône wines. This time there were absolutely no limits as all reds from all-over the Rhône-region were permitted, drastically differentiating it from our last tasting at Nick’s when only Southern Rhône reds were allowed, as well as from the last blind tasting at my place where boundaries were set by the Syrah varietal, originally stemming from that area but now being planted all over Planet Wine.

This means that each of the 12 bottles we popped that night could be anything from Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage to Côtes du Ventoux and Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, hence also mixing single-varietal wines with those that represent cuvées. As you can see, with each blind-tasting we are slowly encircling what both Rhône and Syrah have to offer. Are we gonna grasp the essence of it tonight? Dream on, dreamer.. Read the rest of this entry »

Now with all the fuss of an ultra-slow “campaign” the 2010 Bordeaux Primeurs prices are finally all out and as everyone expected, they’e shockingly high and for most of the Châteaux’ they even top the already über-expensive 2009 vintage.

And of course, how else could it be, 2010 is announced as another so called vintage of the century, and will be cited in the same breath as 2000, 2005 and 2009. Now it is clear that after having blustered about the prices, every true wine lover is at least tempted to participate in such a perfect vintage he reads so many fabulous things about.

But unless you’re a millionaire you’ll try to plot the perfect plan for maximizing your investment (meaning in terms of pleasure for your palate). And the adage that naturally comes to one’s mind is ” in great vintages, buy the lesser Chateaux’ “.

And in order to shed some light on this strategy, I took a look at the current state of 3 smaller-priced estates’ 2005 vintage ( “…of the century”). In fact, as within the current 2010 campaign, there were also in 2005 many Châteaux selling their wines at a great discount compared to the big names and I bought a few of these  hoping to get some of the 2005 bling for little bucks. Now, 6 years later, I am curious on how this strategy worked out and what I actually got for my bucks. The outcome might give an indication of what to expect from equally offered bargains of 2010 and who knows, maybe some more interesting conclusions can be made? Read the rest of this entry »

A lot of voices on cellartracker.com are saying that 2004 Château Pontet-Canet is having a weird phase right now, being quite close and not really in place… Read the rest of this entry »