2005 Bordeaux is better value than 2006

I read an interesting piece in the Times this week about the super high price of Bordeaux 2006.  Leave it alone.  It’s all been purchased by far eastern investors who are going to lose their money anyway.

Stick to 2005 and (as I keep saying) the cheaper marques.  For example Château Reignac de Tizac, Bordeaux Superieur.

Château Reignac de Tizac, next to a book or two by Robert Parker (for some reason)

The initial aroma was of iron rust.  A mineral, earthy and “muddy” wine.  Flavours of root vegatable perhaps beetroot, carrot, swede (turnip).  Some spicy peppery notes of watercress?

Not a particularly delicate wine and not one I would drink on its own, but went very well with chargrilled lamb.  You know that meat and veg go together well!

OK so not the most glowing review and not the best 2005 Bordeaux I have yet tasted, but I would still recommend that you try it.  This one came from the  Wine Society at a paltry £5.25.

Above all I urge you to try any cheap 2005 Bordeaux you can find from wherever you buy your wine and leave 2006 to the “investors”.

6 Responses to “2005 Bordeaux is better value than 2006”

  1. Ciaran Says:

    Don’t get me started on the swede/turnip thing again.

  2. robert Says:

    Interesting combination on the shelf: Parker, Broadbent and AAGuide to Yorkshire Dales

    I’m not sure that comparing ‘everyday’ Bordeaux from 2005 and the ‘investment’ level wines from 2006 is absolutely fair, but in general I agree. Go for value wines from the best vintage around. The 2005 rule also applies to lower appelation Burgundy and to the Rhone.

  3. Alastair Bathgate Says:

    Robert

    Appreciate your comment thanks. When I get a chance I intend to do a Yorkshire Dales walk around the Angel at Hetton which is great for wine (has a sensible fixed markup policy) and claims to have been the first “gastro-pub” in the country. I have certainly been going for 10 or 15 years but it’s about time I reviewed the place.

    On Bordeaux, the en primeur offers I have received had even the “lesser” wines at prices higher than 2003 and 2004 which I think is a bit steep. I’m sure there are bargains to be had from 2006 but I think (and hope) I will be able to pick these up when they hit the shops rather than risk over-paying now.

    Ciaran, how many times have I told you that a swede is a footballer from Sweden and a turnip is an effigy of Graham Taylor.

  4. Anonymous Says:

    Is 2006 Bordeaux an investment or a rip-off?…

    Bordeaux 2005 was heralded as a miracle vintage and prices shot up accordingly.
    But what do you think of 2006 en primeur prices? Should one buy, invest, wait or ignore?
    Join the debate……

  5. Dr. Debs Says:

    I think there are good wines to be found in nearly every Bordeaux vintage, if you look carefully and do your homework. The key thing is not to get sucked into the hype. And boy, was the 2005 vintage hyped! The bubble was bound to burst sometime, and if it registers with the Bordelais that the steep escalation in wine prices has to end sometime, then I’m all for holding back and exercising some restraint. Like you, I’m sticking to 2003 and 2005, and even picking up some good buys in 2001 and 2002 which no one is paying any attention to anymore in their fever about 2005.

  6. Confessions of a Wino » Blog Archive » Château Roc de Boisseaux Says:

    […] might look up the 2005.  Once again I reiterate that you should look for lower class wines in great years if you want to find the best value from […]

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