Need Advice--gifted 78 Ch. Talbot

[Ianaman]

Thank you so much for all the great advice. I agree that it is a gift primarily for enjoyment, but my concern about the value relates much more to my desire to not intimidate others by giving them a $200 bottle of wine (if that is indeed the value).

I would disagree that this "intimidation factor" is still being actively perpetuated by wine publications, et al. Rather, I think that wineries and wine publications, particularly in the new world, are trying very hard to dispel the notion of wine's exclusivity to create a broader customer base. I think French wines, however, have not done much to help, because it keeps their per bottle values higher, though comparative quality is not that much better (if at all).

Anyhow, apart from that, I know that a first growth is better than a fourth growth, but why, and what does it really mean?