foire a vin time again

Emery Davis wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@loki.domain.org:

In case of doubt, I would go for the 2003 over the 2004s, though the Chasse Spleen sounds tempting. BTW, Carrefour had Leoville Barton 2003 at 45 euros per bottle and Leoville Poyferré even cheaper. Both are said to fly from the shelves in less than one hour.

I will be in the Bordeaux area late this month (27th and 28th) and I hope to visit some Auchan (their foire aux vins is going to take place from 20 to 30 of september).

Can anybody recommend a good caviste in the Bordeaux area with fair prices? And I mean "fair", not 30% over winesearcher which is the usual issue with french cavistes.

TIA,

S.

Yes, I think I will get a few bottles of the Chasse-Spleen. Will wait to see if the L.B. shows up at the Champion FAV, they're part of the Carrefour group. I don't think anything flies off of the shelf in an hour here though, the Normans are less than impulsive...

Auchan (as you know) is usually the best FAV. Unfortunately the nearest one is down in Le Mans, which is a bit of a hike for us.

French cavistes have to pay French social charges, which pushes the price of anything up considerably. (Of course they also get something for the money, but that's another issue). Usually the best prices will come from a big supermarket, although there the chain is always an issue. I do believe Auchan has a good reputation for treating wine correctly. Sorry I can't help more.

-E

Thanks for the help. I have been browsing the online catalog of Monoprix and there are several things which I consider very interesting:

or try

- Bouchard Pere et Fils Puligny Montrachet 2004 (19 euros). 89 Allen Meadows

- William Fevre Chablis 2004 Montée de Tonnerre Premier Cru (15 euros) 90-

- Chateau d'Aiguilhe 2004 87-89 Parker 13,90

- Chateau Mazeyres 2001 19 euros. I have drunk several bottles of this pomerol and found it delicious and ready to drink. But I can purchase it for about the same price in Spain so I think 19 euros is not a bargain.

Best,

S.

I take it that no tastes will be offered? I'd be tempted by the '02 Haut-Bages Liberal and Grand-Puy-Lacoste, as the '02s I've tried have been quite decent and the prices you list are good by my standards. YMMV, of course.

Mark Lipton

No tastings, although there is usually an evening before it opens when "privileged clients" can try certain low end bottles. I'm only privileged at Champion, and now that I've seen what they're offering this year I won't bother to go to the tasting. The only thing of interest is an 05 La Perruche Saumur-Champigny that promises to be quite good.

So, as guaranteed by my having commented on it, the Normans picked this one time to get off their duffs, and the Beaumont was sold out. I ended up with d'Agassac, Solitude, St Pierre, Clerc Milon. Turns out I've already got a 1/2 case of 01 P. Lichine.

I picked up a bottle of Clos du Roy to try, if it seems age worthy I'll grab a case or so.

Santiago, thanks for the monoprix tip. Unfortunately I couldn't see the site on any of my browsers. It even causes linux firefox to crash altogether, something no other site has been capable of in my experience. Very impressive!

-E