New to Bordeaux

[cindynish]

Dear Innkeeper,

My husband and I are fans of BIG California Cabs. Christmas, we had a '94 Mondavi Reserve and '97 Silver Oak Napa Valley. Yummy!! Since Bordeaux has been getting quite the hype lately, I decided I'll give it a try thinking "the French style is probably similar or perhaps better." I purchased 4 futures ( 2000 Cos d'Estournel, Chateau Leoville Barton, and 2 - Lynch Bages). Since it will be years before I drink them and before I invest in anymore Bordeaux-style, I decided I should try some now.....So I purchased a 1997 Viader, and broke the bank and purchased a 1986 Pichon Lalande, Pauillac. They both got such great reviews, but both times my husband and I were disappoited. The Viader was too mellow (too much Franc?) and the Pichon Lalande had an unfamiliar fruit tast (perhaps Petite Verdot?) and was not as bold as we expected. Innkeeper, are most Bordeaux mellow and taste far from the Cal Cabs I'm use to? Or, am I just shopping for the wrong Bordeaux? Perhaps I should just stick to Cal Cabs? And what should I expect to taste from my 4 futures, mellow or bold?



Sincerely,
Cindy N.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Cindy, and welcome to the Wine Board. I've already answered you e-mail before I found this.

[winoweenie]

Cindy, being a dyed-in-the-wool Caliphile I'm jumping in wif' me 3 centz worth. The reason you didn't like the Viader is it is one of the most bordeaux-like wines from Napa. The Bordeauxs have their muscle in their subtly, aging abiltiy, and balance. The Calif cabs have more expressive up-front fruit, a solid core of varietal nuances, and the ability to age. Having been a collector of Calif cabs starting in 1970 and drinking their wines from the 40s, 50s, 60s etc I too have a definate Calif palate. I've made one major purchace of Bordeaux futures and that was the 82 vintage. After going thru several bottles it dawned on me that the reason I liked this 82s was they were totally atypical Bordeaux. They were Calif Cabs with strange labels. I have taken a fairly good position on the 2000s' as I understand from some friends whose palates I trust that, they too , are Calif like in thier fruit. The main thing about either of the two regions is that. if possible, give the bottles some cellar time. I opened a bottle of 94 Viader and posted on it not too long ago. I LIKEE!!
Delias' wines just need time to come together. You have some nice bottles on order. I think you'll like the style. WW

[cindynish]

WW, thank you. That was quite helpful. =o)