|
BORDEAUX “SECOND WINE”
From the Magnificent 2000 Vintage
|
What is a “second wine” from Bordeaux? Here’s a test of your wine knowledge. Select one of the 3 answers to this question below that you feel is correct:
|
| 1) |
It refers to a special blend that is made extraordinarily fast and meant to be drunk extremely young like Beaujolais Nouveau.
|
| 2) |
“Second wine” is a chateau’s ranking in the official Classification of 1855.
|
| 3) |
It is wine from a property that does not quite measure up to the estate’s stringent standards for its grand vin (great wine) or “regular label”.
|
|
If you picked #1 or #2 I’m afraid you’re wrong. Your punishment is that you must read the next paragraph. Those who guessed #3 are excused, and may skip over it.
The concept of a “second wine” is rather new, gaining popularity in Bordeaux over the last 10-20 years. Simply put, for one reason or another, a chateau may decide to exclude a portion of the wine it’s made from the regular cuvee. The wine may come from young vines or made from a portion of the estate’s vineyards whose microclimate is inferior to the rest. Wine may be put in a chateau’s “second wine” for reasons that have nothing to do with quality. There may be simply too much Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon for the winemaker to use in the blend he envisions. Whatever the cause, this wine is aged and bottled separately from the estate’s “regular wine”, though a winemaker may at the last minute decide that a barrel’s contents is not quite up to standard and whoosh, there it goes to the “Second Label”. This practice potentially increases the quality of a property’s grand vin while decreasing its quantity.
All of this is great stuff for the value conscious consumer. “Second wines” can be a steal, particularly in a great vintage such as 2000. Read The Wine Spectator’s comments below:
“Sometimes it makes more sense to take second than first. Most of the top châteaus in Bordeaux now make second wines that are much less expensive than the estate's grand vin but often not far behind in quality. They can be savvy and satisfying choices, especially in top vintages.”
We couldn’t agree more. And as we ALL know, 2000 qualifies as a top vintage. That’s why in my last buying trip to Bordeaux this past spring, I spent a lot of time ferreting out these wines from the millennium vintage. They have all now just arrived. There are three great advantages to buying these “second wines”:
|
| 1) |
They are a lot cheaper than the grand vin or regular labels.
|
| 2) |
The wine can be enjoyed much earlier than the property’s standard wine. These beauties are softer, with less tannin, making them easier to enjoy when young. They may, however, be candidates for short to medium-term aging.
|
| 3) |
Yes, there is a difference in quality, but not as much as the difference in price! The effect of a uniformly excellent vintage brings these wines up to much closer quality parity than usual.
|
|
See the selection of second wines below. I will also include the current price of the each chateau’s more expensive grand vin to give you a price comparison.
|
|
Les Pagodes de Cos 2000 (Second Wine of Cos D’Estournel)
*National Average Current Retail Price For Grand Vin: $111.56
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $27.99
“Very intense aromas of crushed berries and pressed flowers with a hint of currant bush. Full-bodied, and chewy with lots of tannins but loads of fruit. A muscular, big wine. Very well-done for the second wine of Cos…92.”-The Wine Spectator
Le Clementin du Pape Clement 2000 (Second Wine of Pape Clement)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $84.28
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $27.99
“Decadent aromas of plums, tobacco and meat follow through to a medium body, with good tannins and a fresh finish…well done. Second wine of Château Pape Clément.”-The Wine Spectator
Reserve de la Comtesse 2000 (Second Wine of Pichon Lalande)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $159.43
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $26.99
“Rather decadent, with berry, plum and tobacco character and a hint of meat. Medium-bodied, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Solid second wine. Second wine of Château Pichon-Longueville-Lalande…90.”-The Wine Spectator
Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2000 (Second Wine of Lagrange)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $49.56
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $21.99
“Beautiful aromas of licorice, spice and berries, with hints of minerals. Full-bodied, yet refined and silky. Long, caressing finish. Second wine of Château Lagrange…89.”-The Wine Spectator
Fugue de Nenin 2000 (Second Wine of Nenin)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $93.62
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $27.99
“Gentle and delicious red, with tobacco and berry character. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, succulent finish. Second wine of Château Nenin…89.”The Wine Spectator
Marquis de Calon 2000 (Second wine of Calon Segur)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $92.38
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $19.99
A spectacular cassis herb smoky meats bouquet is followed on the palate by relatively soft, forward tasting wine. Shockingly ready considering it’s a St Estephe! Displays good Cabernet Sauvignon flavor, good fruit concentration, and modest tannins in finish. Delicious now, it will improve over the next 2-4 years. -Green’s Wine Buyer
Les Hauts de Pontet 2000 (Second wine of Pontet Canet)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $62.77
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $19.99
“Bright and plummy on the nose, with a hint of raisins. Full-bodied and very ripe, with firm tannins and a medium finish… Second wine of Château Pontet-Canet…89.”-The Wine Spectator
Duluc 2000 (Second Wine Of Branaire)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $54.47
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $21.99
“Soft, plummy and chocolaty, with a lovely medium-bodied palate, with plenty of fruit and a delicious aftertaste. Second wine of Branaire-Ducru…”-The Wine Spectator
La Demoiselle de Sociando Mallet 2000 (Second wine of Sociando Mallet)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $45.82
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $24.99
Complex framboise, vanilla, berry, and smoke aromatics, the flavor showcases a huge wine that possesses a touch of herbs and bell- pepper. This not so tame monster, a fine competitor for a Napa Valley Cabernet, has a long finish that is moderately tannic. A candidate for cellaring an additional 3-5 years, you can enjoy now after 1-2 hours of breathing.-Green’s Wine Buyer
Mondot 2000 (Second wine of Troplong Mondot)
*National Average Current Retail Price for Grand Vin: $97.96
Green’s Cash Price for Second Wine: $27.99
Smoke and spice in the bouquet, the wine has rich fruit and is moderately tannic. Very ripe on the palate with good length, this wine is delicious now or will cellar an additional 2-4 years. A delightful St.Emilion, it is crowned with the St.Emilion Grand Cru status even though it’s a “second wine” of Troplong Mondot.-Green’s Wine Buyer
10% CASE DISCOUNT (MIXED OR SOLID)
*The price for the “grand vin” selections is included for price comparison only. It is an average retail price determined by an extensive internet search of major retail stores from around the country. It is not a sales offer by Green’s.
|
|