$50 Bordeaux Challenge

"Christopher Sprague" wrote ......

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At one time, $US50 had some sort of value: not too long ago = $NZ110

Nowadays $US50 = $NZ70

Hells teeth man, soon $US50 won't buy me a gallon of gas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It certainly won't buy me a classified growth Bordeaux in New Zealand !

I hate to be pedantic but, in the interest of accuracy, would point out that Saint-Émilion currently (2006 revision) has 15 Premiers Grands Crus Classés and 46 Grands Crus Classés. Although nobody would pretend that any human system of classification is perfect, Saint-Emilion does not depend upon a classification which is 152 years old.

What is more there is generally better value to be found amongst the classified wines of the Jurisdiction. Certainly in England, even at current rates of exchange from the dollar, many of the GCC wines would be available at below 25GBP. I would nominate, for example, and naming but a few, Chx. Soutard Laroze, Grand Corbin, Grand Mayne, Corbin and Clos de l‘Oratoire. At the Fête des Fleurs Banquet in Santi-Emilion just before Vinexpo, the 1998 Grand Mayne from magnum outshone some of the PGCCs in my view and the others always show extremenly well in my experience. I would agree that 1999 is a good vintage for current drinking although the1998s are now ready to drink and it was agreat Merlot year, at least as good in my view (shared I think by Jancis Robinson) as to 2000s — and cheaper. If you buy carefully here the Decnater Bordeaux Price Watch suggests that 1998 Ch. Canon would be within budget amongst the PGCCs and depending on how you calculate exchange rates, even 1996 Ch. Figeac might be as well.

Tim Hartley

Timothy is of course correct that technically the St Emilions are classified, and I agree one can often get more bang for the buck under $50 if you're a Merlot fan (I am). But assuming that you prefer Left Bank:

'96 Lynch Moussas drinks well now ('96 Sociando is great, but needs time, as does Pichon Baron, but I think the last of those at $50are gone in any case)

'99 Leoville Poyferre (a bit modern, but not over the top) or Leo- Barton.