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Sticker shock

I just saw some estimated prices for the much ballyhooed '09 Bdx wines. It's been a few years since I last paid much attention to new releases of Bdx, but my first reaction was one of shock. First growth pricing was consistently at $1000-2000 per bottle and many former (relative) bargains such as Montrose and Pichon-Lalande are going for $300-350 a bottle. Granted, there were a few standouts such as Gruaud-Larose and Leoville-Barton that still had reasonable pricing, but they were the rare exception. It was not that long ago that most of these wines were retailing for 1/4-1/5 of their current prices.

Some of this is the result of RMP's hype:

but that only explains a fraction of the overall effect. So, has it been demand from China that's fueled this rise? Growing demand and limited supply?

Cornfuzzedly yours, Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton
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I think the scariest thing is that it's so bad that $80/Gruaud and $90-$110/LeoBarton are being held up as reasonable! :) I paid $45 for highly ballyhooed 2003 Barton (04 same price)

2001 was last Gruaud I bought, $28. Those are definitely outpacing inflation!
Reply to
DaleW

Not that I'm trying to dissuade either of you, but when I look at my CT data, I find that the _latest_ start date for a drinking window of any of the wines in my cellar is 2020 (for, of all things, a 2007 Stony Hills Chardonnay!). That means that all of the wines I now own will be drinkable (according to CT, which usually underestimates readiness to my tastes) before I turn 65 -- even my Dunn Howell Mountains! ;-) Unless one is buying old school Barolo or Madiran or First Growth Bordeaux (bringing this thread full circle) I don't see many wines that wouldn't be approachable at the very least in 5 years' time. Now, the bang for the buck argument I understand all too well.

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

Yeah, I figured as much, Bill, but just had to weigh in anyway. Clearly, the solution is for me to find my way out to Columbus to help you polish some of those wines lingering in your cellar! ;-) For the most part, I agree with you. More and more I am shying away from the "great" vintages in favor of the "leaner" years, for reasons of taste, pricing and life expectancy ;-)

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

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