Know nothing about Bordeaux

[TheEngineer]

From an equal newbie at this, this is what I have been trying (rather "unsuccessfully" mind you) to do. Since we have had a terrific vintage of late (the 2000), I've kinda centered my samples around that (kinda like establishing the TYPE as in archeology). Also lets me sample what a young bordeau is like.

(1) tried several Left Bank ( St. Estephe, St Julien, Paulliac and Graves) but mostly moderately priced or second wines of the winery (like Les Haut de Pontet-Canet) which as a group tend to be more approachable now (the main wines can be way too Tannic right now).
(2) tried several right bank wines to understand the difference between cabernate sauvignon dominant left bank bordeaux versus more merlot dominant right bank bordeaux (and there are reasons for that).
(3) The above would show me what newer bordeaux taste like, so obviously now need to learn what older bordeaux taste like. So have or will try, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 1998 wines (so far missing the 1985). This will also provide some insight into vintage differences.

Not a perfect setup but hoping to gain as much as possible with as minimal amount of cash as possible as well.

Some suggestions on purchase from 2000 vintage (based on my VERY LIMITED knowledge:

(1) As the lower end education, the 2000 Tour D'auron (at less than $20) and the 2000 Chateau Villa Bel Air $24 should be easy to find.

(2) One step up a left bank wine called Chateau Pontet-Canet which can still be found for around $60 and will stand up well against pricier competitors. The right bank is interestingly a wine called Chateau Grand-Pontet which should still be around for about $50.

(3) For those few bottles to lay down (since I can't afford first growths), I would suggest 2000 Chateau Pichon Lalande de Comptesse. These bottles are still pricy but at $200 per bottle, they can still be had. Slightly less expensive at the $100 would potentially be Chateau Calon-Segur.

[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 03-24-2005).]