THIRD GROWTH Bordeaux: The Collector's Guide to Affordable Luxury

[@AttorneySomm]

To learn more about the First Growth Bordeaux wines, please see the following playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL2aDDJZh--pDc0ewcwVBvoiUsBLCCcuHv The Super Second Bordeaux are discussed in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2monmhpacx0sKs

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

I am on wine holiday.. Visiting Gujarat, India for 2 1/2 wks… looking forward to drinking very nice wine as soon as I get home.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@sanjaypatelmd4669 Looking forward to your selections! Hope you enjoy your trip! Safe travels.

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@AttorneySomm I would like to get WSET certified just for my knowledge and passion. Any tips?

[@AttorneySomm]

@@sanjaypatelmd4669 Yes, I would encourage you to do it! It is a terrific program. I have a video about the various levels and what is involved as well as another video about how to prepare for the tasting exams. I'm sure you will do well in the program. The first level is very straight-forward and quick with a multiple choice exam. That will get you started.

[@vinvoyage]

I love how intelligently and excellently written this content is, and I truly appreciate the extent of research that went into its preparation. Also, I applaud you for the depth of knowledge and experience that this authoritative video clearly shows. Comprehensive, intensive, extensive, and educational without being didactic or boring. Third Growth producers and 1855 Classification expertly and accurately discussed. One of your longest videos I’ve ever watched but very engaging, I actually watched it thrice. Thrilled that Margaux was mentioned several times! One of my top favorite appellations in Bordeaux! And so many interesting pieces of information here, I felt like taking down notes - or booking a flight to revisit Bordeaux especially my favorite Left Bank.😁 Beautiful photos of the chateaux and cellars! Superb advice on vintages to buy or invest in. Among all these chateaux mentioned, I’ve tried - and/or I still have for cellaring - bottles from Chateau Giscours, Leoville Barton, Rauzan Segla, and Calon Segur. I’m so blown away by this amazing video with visuals and script that went beyond my high expectations. Incredibly awesome content, I can’t praise it high enough. Truly one of the best written, best produced, and most informative videos I’ve ever watched on KZbin. Felicitations, John! Santé!

[@AttorneySomm]

Merci beaucoup, Margaux! I try very hard not to be didactic. 😁 Yes, 10 of the 14 Third Growths are from your namesake appellation! So glad you enjoyed the video. Truly appreciate the support and the effusive, eloquent feedback! Santè!

[@vinvoyage]

@@AttorneySomm So love this response!😂 De rien; always a pleasure to appreciate your exceptional and inimitable content! Truly incomparable and so brilliant!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@vinvoyage Thanks again! Very much appreciated.

[@hb3796]

I enjoy your videos about wine and history !

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@jamesnordbeck382]

Another wonderful and educational video! I am taking your advise and stocking my cellar full of great Bordeaux!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you, James! I think you will be glad you did! Bordeaux is making so many outstanding wines at excellent prices these days. Cheers!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Every time I watch his video I learn something new…sir you are awesome!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad to hear it! 👍🍷

[@gogreenmsu03]

Great video, and very helpful! I am completely head over heels for Bordeaux over the past year. My biggest problem is that I don’t have many bottles earlier than 2018 and 2019 at the moment. It is extremely helpful to learn which wines can be drunk on the younger side and still be enjoyable.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad it was helpful. The good news is that both 2018 and 2019 are outstanding vintages! Those are both terrific vintages in which to have lots of inventory. Have a great weekend!

[@noahcap]

Excellent content- as always! I was intrigued by your comment about taking a chance on older vintages of Langoa Barton. Wondering if you have any specific recommendations for vintages to seek out. Some of my favorite Bordeaux experiences have been from when I took a chance on an old bottle; '83 Prieure Lichine, '86 Le Gay, '89 Cantmerle were all excellent. I've also had some dead bottles that I wish I had never bought. So any recs are very much appreciated. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it! I think any of the following vintages may be worth trying: '82, ''86, '89, '90, '96, '98, '99-01. If good provenance is assured, potentially also '78. Cheers!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

I had my club ordered me some 2010 Desmiral ..yummy after an hour ! All wines are my fav. Wines!

[@AttorneySomm]

Excellent! Very glad to hear it! 👍🍷

[@leovandalsen9446]

Great video thanks again!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Very pleased you enjoyed it!

[@chrisginoc]

I had cellared several bottles of some 2015 Cheateau Marquis D'Alesme and opened one up for Valentines...absolutely stunning

[@AttorneySomm]

Excellent! Very glad to hear it! Thanks for letting me know!

[@mahouyin]

Have a bottle of 2016 Marquis d'Alesme sitting around Can't wait to drink it sometime soon. Planning on buying a case of Lagrange's 2016 Les Fief sometime in the future. Great video!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Excellent choices!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Loved it!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@brianmcdonald9298]

I am a big fan of Chateau D’Issan and buy a case in good vintages. I also love Chateau Palmer but given it’s price I can only rarely buy. I have some 2016 aging in my cellar right now , but have multiple cases of D’Issan waiting for me (2009, 2010, 2016). D’Issan is great value.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Completely agree with you re D’Issan. 👍🍷

[@jennlee4777]

Couldn’t agree more with Palmer … it’s a fave and the alter ego is a fun wine to introduce people to better than average Bordeaux…. It’s tough to find here in Ontario Canada , but I’m our travels we can usually find success. Thanks again for the great run down. Excellent as always.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoy Palmer too. One of my favorites for many years!

[@michellecharles7257]

Great Content - thank you!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate the kind feedback! 👍🍷

[@carlcadregari7768]

Great video as always! If you only had room for 12 bottles, and you wanted to drink them all over the next year, what would be in your case?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! 12 from this video that are new releases?

[@carlcadregari7768]

@@AttorneySomm or older too, but 3rd growths

[@AttorneySomm]

@@carlcadregari7768 I'm a big fan of Palmer, so I would definitely include some Palmer/Alter Ego. Calon-Segur, Cantenac Brown, Giscours, Malescot and the 2019 Ferriere as well.

[@carlcadregari7768]

@@AttorneySomm Thank you!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Chateau Palmer is one of my fav! But I love all wines you suggested!

[@AttorneySomm]

Definitely one of my favorites too! 👍🍷

[@danielplainview4778]

@@AttorneySomm believe it or not in British Columbia the current release (2019) Palmer is $725 lol

[@AttorneySomm]

@@danielplainview4778 Yikes! That is unfortunate. How does that compare to the pricing for First Growths? The last time I was in Canada I often ordered cocktails at restaurants!

[@danielplainview4778]

@@AttorneySomm first growths are all now 1500-2000 a bottle at current release

[@AttorneySomm]

@@danielplainview4778 Ouch!!! 2019 Haut-Brion is US $600 in Texas. Plenty of places have the 2019 Palmer for around US $300-325.

[@premaditya1941]

Thanks 🙏

[@AttorneySomm]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@joe-zp7ge]

BOUGHT LANGOA,EXUPERY, AND CANTENAC BROWN YESTERDAY! ILL HOLD FOR A MIN 4 YEARS. ALL. 2019

[@AttorneySomm]

Well done! Fantastic score! 👍🍷

[@justintran6293]

The other day I was at my local wine store and came across the Langoa Barton 2020 going for $45. Should I stock up on them? Thanks John!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@justintran6293 Looks like a good price! As long as you have some patience it’s a good buy!

[@justintran6293]

@ I will try to keep my hands off of them for at least until the next decade. Once again, your videos are always enjoyable!

[@AttorneySomm]

@ Thank you kindly! Cheers!

[@piffpaff1482]

In my opinion, you can get good value in Bordeaux in the price range 20-40 €. I tried also more expensive Bordeaux wines and was often disappointed. For me consuming a wine means relaxing my mind and enjoying. I found myself trapped in a mood of analyzing a wine constantly if it is more than 40€. To me this is much money for a bottle of wine so I try to find something special to justify the investment. This destroys somehow the enjoyment. But if you are wealthy enough..wish you happy drinking👋

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks for weighing in. Yes, I understand. I do videos about wine at all different price points. I have done videos for the top wines at $15, $20, $25, $30 and $40 as well.

[@jonathandavis9507]

Marquis D'Alesme 2018 is drinking well already, especially at the price.

[@AttorneySomm]

Agreed! An outstanding wine. 👍🍷

[@ronmcmartin4513]

I tried it a year ago(Jan. 22). It was closed. I couldn't coax more than 92 points & notes said Medium weight. Based on the critics(especially the ones that align with my palate), it is much better than that. They also say 2019 is much better in bottle than barrel.

[@Naturalwino]

Hi, I have a 2010 Lagrange, I’ve read that 2010’s from Bordeaux are a significant great year and still not at peak but I am curious how that theory applies to a 3rd growth?

[@AttorneySomm]

@@Naturalwino Hello: Great question! 10 is definitely a very age-worthy vintage even for Lagrange. I’d give it another year or two minimum but it will last another 20-25 years easy with good storage.

[@rjo8500]

Every time I visit my local large wine and spirits store I’m the only one in the Bordeaux aisles. Meanwhile the cab isles are shoulder to shoulder. For me cabs taste like cough medicine so I have no problem being a bottom feeder. Lol

[@AttorneySomm]

Ha! Very nice! So much incredible Bordeaux for reasonable prices currently. 👍🍷

[@julioalbertomorales]

When a wine is blend, let's say 80% cabernet, 15% merlot and 5% petit verdot, at what stage does the blending occur? Are the grapes pressed and those percentages of juices come together at the start, after each juice has fermented a bit or a lot, or at the very end when each is pretty much a standalone wine?

[@AttorneySomm]

Excellent question. The trend in Bordeaux currently is for vineyards to be divided into different parcels. The different grapes are generally in separate parcels (e.g., Merlot in clay soils, Cabernet S in more rocky soils, etc.). Most Bordeaux producers will ferment and mature each parcel individually and then blend the components prior to bottling. The tasting process is a huge undertaking as they need to try to come up with the best blend of these varying components and try lots of different combinations before they decide on the final blend. That is why the composition of the blend can vary quite a bit from year to year.

[@julioalbertomorales]

@@AttorneySomm John, thank you. Adding to the many things I find fascinating: within a given producer's land the parcels themselves can vary significantly to suit one varietal over another. Your channel has become one of my main sources of info and I don't mean binge watch I mean really take the time to pay attention. I've always liked wine but within the last six months or so I'm enjoying it more because I'm taking the time to seek out better quality and appreciating where it comes from, who makes it, etc.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@julioalbertomorales Yes, that was something that really made an impression on me as well. Understanding what goes into the wine definitely gives one a sense of appreciation for all that goes into it. It can also help you to understand the differences between wines from different producers and help you to learn what you like best and why.

[@minka8047]

American prices are really good

[@AttorneySomm]

I actually was a bit resentful of the prices in Europe relative to the US, but do feel better about the US prices after hearing from my Canadian friends.

[@minka8047]

@@AttorneySomm you'll feel even better when you hear what your Australian friends pay!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@minka8047 Oh no. Are prices on Australian wines very reasonable but just not imports? Or are all wine prices generally high in Australia?

[@hughmccabe5514]

Australian and New Zealand prices for Bordeaux are higher than in USA. For example in NZ where I am from, Langoa Barton 2018 is US$95 vs about US$60 in USA. In Australia it is US$87. I really enjoy your videos. They are well researched and well presented. Very educational. Keep up the great work.

[@minka8047]

@@AttorneySomm anything that's from Europe generally is expensive ( scale/transport) some of the American wine you talk about we just can't get ( no double diamond in the country believe me I checked ). You can get a good local bottle for between Aud 30 to Aud 50; the top wineries have all priced up over the last year. But there still great wineries (Rockford, Wendowree etc) where they value a relationship; you can buy their top bottles if your on the list for very reasonable price

[@numanuma20]

The 1885 classification was based on who had the most money. The more money you had, the more likely it was that you would be able to have better wines and most likely bribe your way into the classification. I wish Chateau Gloria was a growth. I think it is worthy to be so.

[@AttorneySomm]

Chateau Gloria did not exist at the time, but agree that it is an excellent producer and would be worthy of inclusion if the classification were revisited.

[@georgigeorgiev-ei4or]

Chateau Gloria is a good wine.I've had some from 1970,1994,1998.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@georgigeorgiev-ei4or Agreed! The 2000 was excellent too. Think I may have a 95 left.

[@georgigeorgiev-ei4or]

@@AttorneySomm Sure.I also like Ch.Saint-Pierre.I've watched all your videos.They are very good.I've been into wine since Y2000.Cheers.

[@AttorneySomm]

@@georgigeorgiev-ei4or Thank you! Very much appreciate the support. Glad you enjoy the videos! I enjoy Saint-Pierre as well. Had the 09 a few months ago and it showed very well.

[@TheTiger1028]

I know this minor in the grand scheme of things but watching you butcher the pronunciation of Kirwan was hard to watch. Its pronounced Kir-win.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks. I do work hard on the pronunciations. Sorry I missed this one.