BORDEAUX BREAKDOWN! Everything You Need to Know About Bordeaux! (2024)

[@margauxml]

As a seriously passionate Bordeaux enthusiast, this video greatly resonates with me. I very much appreciate the detailed insights and information you have included here which, in effect, show us how special this wine region truly is. You have covered all the important topics, discussing each part with evident intelligence and compelling expertise. From terroir and grape varieties to aging considerations and incredible wine quality, this excellently produced video, no doubt, sets the bar for all and any discussions of everything Bordeaux.🍷 Bravo, John! Santé!

[@margauxml]

Thank you for the pin, John. Much appreciated✨

[@AttorneySomm]

So glad you enjoyed the video, Margaux! Definitely a special region for me as well. A number of viewers had requested more of an educational, introduction video for Bordeaux, so hopefully this is well received! Appreciate the support and kind feedback! Cheers!

[@margauxml]

@@AttorneySomm My pleasure, John! I’m sure this video will be greatly appreciated not only by your subscribers but also by other wine enthusiasts looking for high-quality educational wine content that’s informative and enjoyable at the same time.💯 Thank you for the pin!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@margauxml You're welcome! Well deserved!

[@gerardgreen3441]

Good timing! The 2023 ep campaign has started this week. The trade has given the vintage a thumbs up - as good as 2022. Also prices have been reduced. Leoville Las Cases is 43% down in price and Pontet Canet is down just under 30%. Fill your boots if you collect wines and can store them until their drinking window!

[@kailasghum]

I'll be honest John, I don't understand how you have the time to be an attorney and still know SO MUCH about the wine world at the same time! You are great at explaining things for us amateurs and so far you've been killing it with the QPR tips on what bottles I can find here in Scandinavia. Love the lists of different price ranges but also these informative videos, cheers!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Wine has been a passion of mine for many years now and I certainly enjoy sharing it with the terrific community we have here! Very glad you enjoy the videos! Cheers!

[@dave7mm083]

As has already been commented, a very well done set of "Cliff's Notes" to Bordeaux. I learned something as well, so a bonus. Nice job!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad to hear it!

[@GCOUNDOU]

such a great channel. thank you Attorney Somm

[@AttorneySomm]

Very glad you enjoy it! Thanks for the kind feedback!

[@rickwezenaar]

great video about the bordeaux region !

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@welshtoro3256]

Excellent review John.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@gustavomgomes]

Great content ! One wine that is not in the 1855 classification that I love is Smith haut Lafitte. Definitely worth of been in the top tear list ! Cheers !

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Yes they do an excellent job! One I enjoy very much as well! Cheers!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much, Margaux! Very glad you enjoyed it. Based on some viewer comments recently, I wanted to make sure that everyone had a good way to have some common knowledge and background information! A special region for me as well! Cheers!

[@alexanderflesche4797]

great video like always!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Appreciate the kind feedback! Cheers!

[@Thesilverthunder777]

Excellent. Merci!

[@AttorneySomm]

De rien! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@nickdermand7540]

Pontet Canet for sure needs an upgrade 👍🏻

[@AttorneySomm]

Agreed! Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@michaelsim4440]

Hi John, thanks for sharing.. I didn't know about the additional grape types to the approved 13 due to global warming...

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Yes, an interesting development for sure. It will likely get more attention once that fruit starts making its way into some of the wines. That probably won't be until the 2025 or 2026 vintages at the earliest for those who planted in 2021.

[@stevenholt4936]

Good video, John. Talking of good Bordeaux, I have enjoyed a half-bottle of Doisy-Vedrines, 2013, this weekend. Do you enjoy sweet wines and is Sauternes your favourite? Also, have you done a video on stickies?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Sauternes is probably my favorite but I haven’t done a video on it yet. Might be a good topic!

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@AttorneySomm--I prefer lighter styles(Climens, Coutet, La Tour Blanche) over heavier, thicker styles(Rieussec, Suduiruat). D'Yquem hits Both sides.

[@Skumgummiii]

Biggest jumps would the fifths going to second, namely Pontet-canet and lynch bages. I would also expect grand puy Lacoste and d’armailhac to move up to thirds. Clerc milon would probably move up to fourth. Fourths I think would largely stay the same, talbot and beychevelle up to third. Pouget down to fifth. Thirds I also think are mostly good where they are, Palmer could move up to first. Cantenac-brown up to second. I’ve honestly not had many seconds, but the ones I’ve had I would keep where they are. I’ve not had Latour or Lafite, but the other firsts are definitely ranked correctly.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks for weighing in! Much appreciated.

[@GCOUNDOU]

i thought right bank was mostly merlot and left bank mostly (meaning more than 50%) cab sauvignon, not whatever blend proportions they wanted... 2:33

[@AttorneySomm]

That is generally the case, but it is not required and is up to the producer. The 21 Palmer is 56% Merlot, for example. Producers are free to use whatever grapes they choose., but their choices are largely dictated by the soils in their vineyards. In the Medoc, most of the non-classified growth producers to the north also use more than 50% Merlot. In all of Bordeaux, Merlot is almost 60% of the plantings and Cabernet Sauvignon is only 20%.

[@jlim9888]

great content. Perphas a deep dive and comparing the growth vs 2 wines and summariese the best of the seconds for price performance.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Appreciate the suggestion as well. I'll give that some thought! In the meantime, I have actually published two wine cellar defender videos with my favorite second wines from Bordeaux, one video for the Left Bank and the other for the Right Bank. They are both in the Wine Cellar Defender Playlist that is on my profile. Happy to send you links if you cannot locate them readily and if that would be useful.

[@rjo8500]

Nothing draws me in like a really good, aged Bordeaux.

[@AttorneySomm]

Same here! Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@16:18-- "2009 was known as earlier drinking Bordeaux; 2010 more structured" ...Oddly, the only wine that was over-the-hill in 2023, was 2010 Ferran(early drinker), while 2009 Haut Carles is still drinking well thru 2024. I consider 2009 & 2015 similar, and 2010 & 2016 similar.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks for weighing in! There are always some variations. Perhaps the 09 Ferran is also over the hill? It is better to compare wines from the same producer. The 2009 vs 2010 Pontet Canet wines are excellent examples. Both had perfect scores but very different wines.

[@ronmcmartin4513]

@@AttorneySomm--" 09 Ferran"...Don't know, I didn't buy it. In 2019, I gave the 2010, 91 Points. 2015, I will try shortly. "2009/2015, and 2010/2016 similar" What's your opinion, and remember I'm a big boy, so I welcome a different opinions from anyone here.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@ronmcmartin4513 At a high level, I see some similarities between 2010 and 2016 because they are both very strong vintages that produced more classic style wines. I think 2009 was stronger and more consistent than 2015, especially in parts of the left bank, although Pomerol did well too. 2015 was very strong on the right bank and in Margaux (St. Emilion was better in 2015 than 2009; Pomerol was quite strong in both). Like 2009, there were some wines in 2015 with more lush fruit that were approachable early. There were some very strong wines in 2015, but there is more variability and it is more important to be selective that vintage. Also, the fact that 09 wines (and 15) can be more approachable early, does not mean that they are also not capable of aging well too. My point was just that in many instances you were able to enjoy 2009 Bordeaux earlier than 2010.

[@colindole5944]

i will be visiting Bordeaux in june! do you have any recommendations on which chateaus to visit?

[@AttorneySomm]

Excellent! That should be a fantastic trip! Many of the top Chateau suggest making reservations 3 months out, but I would definitely check with the following: Pontet-Canet, Lynch-Bages, Palmer (Giscours is close and excellent too), and Smith Haut Lafitte. If you can get in to Pichon Lalande, that is a good experience. Mouton has a museum as well that is worth a visit (and, of course, the wine is good too)! If you can't fill your schedule with these, let me know and I'll give you some more suggestions. Have a great trip!

[@colindole5944]

@@AttorneySomm we will visit smith haut lafite. and also pichon baron, lafon rochet, and figeac. we are very excited!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@colindole5944 That is terrific! An excellent lineup indeed! You will get to experience a number of the important appellations with a top producer in each. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[@dougronald561]

That’s an amazing shirt.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! I'm a big Balmain fan.

[@mickeylee2624]

A terrific overview with nice depth for Bordeaux!👍👍 I see there is a subliminal message in favor of Pichon Lalande!😎😁

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Definitely one I enjoy often! 🍷🍷

[@danielplainview4778]

First growth quality (none first growth wines) would be Ducru, LLC, PLL, Montrose and Palmer, of course very vintage dependant.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much for weighing in! Agreed - these producers all make some world-class wines!

[@n0v0cane]

I mean, you can probably add lafleur, le pin, cheval blanc, la mission haut brion, and several others

[@AttorneySomm]

@@n0v0cane Thanks for weighing in! Certainly several right bank producers would be up there if they were included. Petrus as well.

[@danielplainview4778]

@@n0v0cane I was naming classified growths that could be first quality, you have referenced unclassified wines and right bank Bordeaux but I agree on the overall quality

[@alistaircorbishley5881]

My wife and I have booked a city break in July and have booked a tour of Pape Clement. Are there any other Chateau not too far out front the city that you could recommend for a half day visit?

[@AttorneySomm]

Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion are very close, so you might try them. Otherwise, Smith Haut Haut Lafitte or Domaine de Chevalier are also good choices. Hope you enjoy it!

[@megatrendy1]

imho, Pontet-Canet is underrated - it deserves 3ème Cru or even 2ème Cru classification. La Mission-Haut-Brion should be first growth, also Léoville-Las-Cases. On the other hand, I can't understand some hypes currently happening! Les Carmes-Haut-Brion, Château Pavie, Troplong-Mondot and Lagrange: they are imho produced in a somehow stretched manner: too much extract, too much new oak and so. A great wine is first defindes by its terroir and exposition and has some kind of unique character, like e.g. Kirwan, La Lagune or Mouton-Rothschild. Château Montrose, are Château Latour are very tannic, massive wines - but NEVER complex (yes, that's my holy opinion!!!!!)., Pichon-Lalande and Lynch-Bages are imho a bit overrated, or let's say, at least a bit overpriced. But le'ts look in the positive way: some second wines or second labels would even be worth to be classified!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much for weighing in! Greatly appreciate your candid thoughts! I completely agree with you re: Pontet Canet and LMHB! Glad that the video prompted some lively discussion! Cheers!

[@Pseudopimelodidae]

If I had to choose one classified growth to elevate to 1st growth, my vote would go to Cos.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! They do a tremendous job and would definitely be one of the candidates for elevation.

[@baileyklink1416]

Such an amazing video. Ur the best

[@AttorneySomm]

Truly appreciate it! Thank you!

[@VictorGadelhaCam]

Hi John? Did you take a look at that wine list I sent you? It's mostly Italian vintage wines, but in the end there are some French wines like Château Latour 1961, 1993, La Mission Haut Brion, Château Palmer. At what price do you get these wines? I'm curious 😂

[@AttorneySomm]

Hi Victor: I did skim the list but need to spend more time on it. Some friends bought an 82 Latour for $2,400 recently. The 61 would likely go for more than that assuming good provenance. 93 was definitely an off vintage. I would probably pass on those unless the pricing was extremely favorable.

[@VictorGadelhaCam]

@@AttorneySomm Making a correction: Château Latour 1951 €2.500 shipped to United States. Interesting?

[@AttorneySomm]

@@VictorGadelhaCam Ah. No 61 is legendary but 51 isn’t nearly as strong.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@VictorGadelhaCam P.S., some actually consider 1951 to be the worst vintage in the history of Bordeaux!

[@VictorGadelhaCam]

@@AttorneySomm OMG I'll comment with the Italian collector. I went to check the price and he corrected the vintage How sad.

[@georgigeorgiev-ei4or]

Chateau Palmer to go up.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Such a tremendous producer. Definitely one of my favorites too!