Well they have all had their week on the Gironde and no doubt this weekend the papers will be full of 2005, Jancis in the FT is usually a good read.
Neal Martin has started to write up his notes and I find his writings very succinct and with a very English sense of humour.
A member of our wine club who is in the trade, gave us a report at our Tuesday tasting. He was knackered by the sheer scale of the tastings.
A brief précis of findings, but as always DYOR.
The British press were there in droves.
I will not give tasting notes on individual wines as information overload will ensue.
of the appellations. Graves/ pessac-Leognan, a little disappointing, harsh tannins....wait and see? Sauternes/ Barsac, very ripe vintage lacking the complexity of 2001. St Emilion. very good Pomerols, the best the taster had ever tried. Margaux, great wines everywhere. St Julien. Wonderful wines Pauillac Big wines for the long term St Estephe, continues its upwards march.
Some thoughts on marketing and prices.
Stock will be short, a small release only En Primeur, first growths at 250-300 euros a bottle !!!!!! Rumours that the Americans are so determined to get stock they will overbid anyone including the Far East. Rumour that RP has given 15 wines 100 points.
FWIW, I will hold back and wait for the froth to settle. I will buy some but focus on the AC Cru Bourgeois Exceptional, ( The new AC for top rate Cru Bourgeois). Look to Lagune, Chasse, etc.
Do not forget the second wines, I may have a few.
Happy Easter and good drinking