A little dose of Bordeaux

Once again, I've gotten lazy on writing. Truth be told, I'm still trying to find my voice in this medium, and I've often found myself conflicted. In essence - what qualifications do I really have to opine to you, the consumer, on political matters? Aren't there eminently more-qualified individuals out there dispensing roughly the same quips and observations? Perhaps it's just a phase that will soon pass, but it's where I am today.

Wine, however, is a topic that is truly a joy to discuss and comes with far less bloodshed. How about let's focus there for a while?

For those who enjoy a high-quality, traditional Bordeaux, 2009 is shaping up to be the vintage of the decade. Take that how you please - 2000 and 2005 were also vintages of the decade. But the weather in the Bordeaux region was on the side of the vintners in 2009, and barrel tastings are indicating that 2009 will at least rival some of the great vintages of past decades.

As a side note, for those not accustomed to deciphering the labels on many old-world wines, the region generally indicates the grapes used to make the wine. In the case of Bordeaux, you can count on cabernet sauvignon as the base, particularly in wines of the Left Bank (of the Gironde River - go ahead, grab your world atlas). A traditional Bordeaux blend will also usually include merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and/or malbec as blending grapes. Remember the Meritage (rhymes with "heritage") from several posts ago? That is our name for a Bordeaux blend.

The 2009s won't hit the market for another year or so (a little longer for some), but the futures market is lighting up, with Chateau Haut-Brion's first release Wednesday morning going for $612 per bottle, and Chateaux Margaux, Lafite, and Mouton-Rothschild going for $550 per bottle. That's right - you can purchase futures that lock in a price on release. Be careful, though. As with any investment, you're assuming the risk of the price on release not meeting or exceeding the price you paid today. Also, note that you don't have to pay over $500 a bottle - futures of high quality wine can sell for much less.

So what are you waiting for? A little direction from yours truly on some of the more-familiar, New World wine? Ok, ok. I'll have some of that up for you soon.

Until then, salud.