Hi,

Even though my knowledge is reasonable on Bordeaux I still come across a producer or vintage that I havent sampled etc.

This one is a vintage question.

How good / poor is Bordeaux 1972 1st and 2nd growths.
Never had a 1972 vintage before, google doesnt seem to hold much hope for this year ??

Any thoughts.

Regards
Richard

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He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

I have no experience in this area. If none of the old'uns can help, you may be better off asking the question over on the WP forum.

I think '72 was one of the poorer vintages for the region.

old'uns Huh ! Indeed so, now where's my stick ? Can't get to grips with this new fangled machine.
Spose we'd better tell em something, dunno why we should, only once more mind ! Now let me seee

Bordeaux has a reputation for being expensive. And even worse, it has a reputation for exorbitant price rises, sometimes in vintages where the quality of the wines would logically suggest a decrease in price. Such vintages include 1997 and 1972. But does Bordeaux really merit that reputation?

Looking back at tasting sheets from previous decades, it is immediately apparent that prices for top clarets have exploded in the past two decades (and, as I suggest above, there were some significant rises in the 1970s also). A tasting sheet from June 1985, shown on the right, reveals some surprises regarding the prices and sources for the 1980 clarets tasted.

For 1972
One star vintage on the left bank, one star vintage on the right bank.

Don't go there,
You are being sold a pup if over a tenner, an olde world time sake museum piece - perhaps ? Flog on ebay - but selling a pup is not in the remit of a wine lovers style - Huh, Smiling Men with Bad Reputations Is this on ebay now ?

A liitle bit of learning for Gruard-Larose, St Julien 2er Cru Classe' as written by David Peppercorn in 1986
The wines have great concentration and richness and are decidedly tannic in the last 10 years (1975 - 1985).
But with amaturity, they acquire a soft velvety texture, with great breed and charm. Very fine wines were made in 82 81 78 76 & 75. The 80 is very slow to develop.

Look up Gironde weather for 1972 as well, if you want to kill time

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Duncan

I second the "avoid it" note. Even 1970s (a great year) are struggling now. A crap year, as 72 was, hasn't got a chance.

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mel

Just what I wanted to hear, always nice though to get a 2nd/3rd opinion on these matters.

Bought some Leoville Barton 98 in stead a wine I know will drink lovely this Christmas.

Will keep asking questions though as I get offered all sorts of weird and wonderful wines on a regular basis.

Regards
Richard

_________________
He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.