47 Responses for "Wine: The Firm"

1. robert February 17th, 2009 at 2:46 pm 1

   Enjoyed the programme.
   You escaped being quizzed about why your forecasts for the 2005 1st growths, sluicing past the £10,000 watermark and then up to £20,000 now seem dead in the water. (I for one suffered.) Or do you still think that there will be a significant increase in top Bordeaux wine prices in, say, the next 5 years?
   Also, is it true that you only spent £10 million of your £60 million wine budget in 2007? How will that affect 2008? do you think that Cos and others have learnt their lessons viz pricing in 2008, especially given the euro’s strength against the pound?

2. James February 17th, 2009 at 2:48 pm 2

   Saw the show last night & thought I’d let you know how interesting I found it. Especially the detail of how pricing during the “campaign” is decided on.
   With regard to the current economic climate I hadn’t really appreciated how much it would affect you. I though some people may tighten the purse strings a little, but thought wine would still be one of the few things which would be a good investment.
   You came across very well, I thought, & it’s nice to see a relaxed office with plenty of toys (where can I get a rocket launcher?)
   Congratulations.

3. Simon Staples February 17th, 2009 at 4:18 pm 3

   @ Robert
   I too was shocked about the turn of events with regards to prices, especially the 2005s considering I hold a huge amount myself. The series was filmed from about July 2007 to harvest 2008 and those comments were made in buoyant times. With 25/40% coming off the 2005 prices from September to December alone. For what it’s worth December, January and February 2008/9 feel more stable and a plateau MAY have been reached. It at least feels that way. If something calamitous happens again to the global economy this will undoubtedly have a knock on affect to Fine Wine prices in the short term. However, if you believe in economic cycles and don’t need the cash for anything more important than an investment, hold on, as I am, for the next up turn. The 2005’s are the best I have tasted in 21 years of enjoying my job, and the best of the best will come good. I hope that helps a bit.
   As for my 2007 purse, it was almost to the penny 10 million, and we walked away from huge allocations of some of the great and good. Can we recover these in 2008? The question is are the chateaux going to take this global meltdown on the chin and give us a “bargain” vintage to move their crop? And are we really talking about 2002 levels or no release at all? Now that’s a debate my chunky fingers can’t begin to address.

   @ James
   Delighted you enjoyed it. I don’t think I’ve been mocked by the wine trade and clients as much for weeks! I think I may have answered your question on investment on Robert’s answer above.
   Please find sidewinders at http://www.amazon.co.uk/DREAM-CHEEKY-USB-Missile-Launcher/dp/B0015AHTIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1234883849&sr=8-1 and they are on sale!

   Kind regards

   Simon

4. simon greaney February 17th, 2009 at 6:53 pm 4

   Simon,

   Was encouraged to watch last nights programme by a friend who is passionate about the subject matter, and would just like to say how educational the hour was.

   You came across very well. Far removed from the preconceived ideas I had of the industry you work in.

   Fantastic to see you doing so well for yourself Simon. A far cry from the Crest in HW some 20 years ago! – You don’t look a day older!

   Obviously a marriage made in heaven and it came across in the viewing.

   Regards,

   Simon Greaney

5. Madison Prince February 17th, 2009 at 8:48 pm 5

   Please, any remedies for your passionate BBR fans in the U.S. where BBC provides no access to any of their videos?

   Enthusiastically yours,

   Madison Prince

6. Anthony February 17th, 2009 at 9:56 pm 6

   I have to confess I know nothing about wine. I watched the programme purely to see how the the economic climate is affecting the wine industry, to help out with my Business degree.
   However, having watched the programme I now would like to learn alot more about the industry – how can I do this?? any info you could offer would be great.
   And ignore the critics, I agree you came across very well!
   Thanks, Ant

7. Julian February 17th, 2009 at 11:49 pm 7

   I thought the programme was excellent and portrayed BB in a good light. Nice to see the symbiotic relationship with the producers. What does an 1870 wine taste like, I was once told that some older wines can have a flavour more like cabbage. Thanks for the insight.

8. Robin Milnes February 18th, 2009 at 12:51 pm 8

   I was looking forward to the programme all weekend and was not disappointed. I always tell my friends ‘you’ll never get a poor wine from BBR’ and the programme gave an insight into why that is so. A very enjoyable and interesting programme. Well done.

9. James February 18th, 2009 at 3:21 pm 9

   Thoroughly enjoyed the programme. It gave a good insight to buying side of the wine business and the mind of a chateau owner. I thought the BBR buyers came across a lot more relaxed and less stuffy than their profiles on the web site present them. Also good to see the section about David Clark – I can only imagine the exposure the programme gave him will increase his (and your) sales.

10. David D February 18th, 2009 at 7:29 pm 10

    Hi just thought I let you know how much I enjoyed watching you all on the BBC. I was glued for the whole hour, I was fascinated to see behind the scenes on the wine industry… A rare insight… Thanks!!

11. James February 18th, 2009 at 8:39 pm 11

    I enjoyed the programme immensely; I was particularly pleased to see the relaxed office atmosphere.

12. roger poole February 18th, 2009 at 10:27 pm 12

    A very informative and interesting programme. A great insight to the world of wine and wine selection/pricing.

13. Richard February 18th, 2009 at 10:35 pm 13

    Hi Simon

    Thoroughly interesting and enjoyable, even for those not as interested in wine (my wife stayed awake all the way through, which is a record for anything after 8pm!). The whole buying process was fascinating, as were the differences between Bordeaux and Burgundy. Also pleasantly surprised to find that I had a cameo appearance at the Burgundy tasting!

    Richard

14. Greg February 19th, 2009 at 8:19 am 14

    I was hoping that this program would be slightly more interesting than the other drivel that appears on the BBC – re Oz Clarke and James May getting drunk on the licence fee payers behalf – but sadly it just re-affirmed a view that wine is for an elitist bunch of people that really have no interest as to what is in the bottle but rather how much money they can make.

    The views portrayed by Simon Staples and Simon Berry go a long way to confirm this…in my opinion. I have very little doubt that this comment will appear on your blog, but one lives in hope that a little criticism is good for the soul.

    I for one will be removing my wine from your cellars and buying elsewhere from now on.

15. Jan Cerovsky February 19th, 2009 at 9:19 am 15

    Same question here as Madison Prince… is there any chance to view The Firm from different country than UK?

16. James February 19th, 2009 at 1:10 pm 16

    Greg,
    I disagree, wine isn’t only for “an elitist bunch of people that really have no interest as to what is in the bottle but rather how much money they can make”.
    I’m probably one of BBRs less well off customers yet am made perfectly welcome to comment on wines, ask questions and have a cellar plan which suits my circumstances.
    Berrys have many wines for drinking, not just investment, and with their own range prices aren’t too high.
    I’d say if anything the show dispelled many of my preconceived ideas of the wine industry & the people involved.

17. Simon Staples February 19th, 2009 at 5:01 pm 17

    @ Jan and Madison

    A techy i am not and have no idea why iplayer doesn’t work abroad but if you would like to email me your address’ I’ll arrange to send you a DVD if you fancy. Email Simon.staples@bbr.com
    @ Julian,
    I have to say I have come across a large amount of older wines that have that “cabbage” nose and palate and once a great wine ,almost from every region ,is older than about 40 years its very difficult to pin down grape variety or even region. Hence Jean Guillaume coming in with 1928, St Estephe or Pauilliac was outstanding. That evening was truly one of the most outstanding of my 20 years in the great business. If you would like to read more specifically I jotted down a few notes on the night http://bbrblog.com/2008/06/20/cos-its-a-monday/

    I have to say though my experience with older wine apart a few amazing experiences leads me to drink wines at the age that arnt as risky. I bought a lot of 1996 Bordeaux and 2000 Red Burgundy and almost all (except the really big boys) are drinking beautifully….Sorry…long answer.

    @James,
    After a week in the press of being “David Brent” and “Rolly Polly” I take “less stuffy” as a total complement Sir and you are on my Christmas card list. Poor David has been inundated with enquires for his wines and numerous marriage proposals too!

    @Greg,

    I’m really sorry to hear that. I can assure you a great deal of passion and love for what we do lies on the cutting room floor. A four hour tasting of us trying 300 Petit Chateaux that cost 1.5 euro to 4 euro and walking away with nothing because the quality wasn’t high enough to bring back and sell to our customers etc shall sadly never be seen. We had no editorial rights and the film maker was trying to show the huge differences between buying both regions. I take your comments on board and hope you see that a good bit of criticism can also be posted. I hope you give us another shot but please let me know if you want your wines transferred.

    Many thanks

    Simon

18. David February 19th, 2009 at 8:40 pm 18

    A great show and one that I really enjoyed. Was the bottle of 1870 Ch. Cos d’Estournel decanted? If so should something of this age be decanted?

19. Anya February 19th, 2009 at 9:58 pm 19

    Greg
    I completely disagree with your comment. My husband was recommended a Bourgogne Blanc by Berry Bros by a producer called Fichet that was less than £12 / bottle, excellent wine, excellent value and much better than plonk we have purchased from the supermarkets that actually cost us more! I hardly think they would recommend such a cheap, great value wine if they had a elitist attitude to wine and to their customers! Bravo Berry Bros – more great, low price recommendations please!
    Anya

20. Sarah F February 19th, 2009 at 11:35 pm 20

    I watched the programme this evening (Sky+) and whilst finding it entertaining and informative in equal measure, I was really disappointed to see how few women featured in it. Apart from Jancis Robinson and a couple of non-speaking female BBR tasters everyone else was male! Why is this? Is it lack of interest or lack of opportunity? I can’t believe it’s the former so must be the latter. The 1870 Cos tasting evening was just like a night at a gentleman’s club.
    Loved the fact that Simon was quite happy to walk away from deals that he thought were not good value for his customers despite BBR’s longstanding relationship with the Cos Chateau.

21. Jonathan Labrey February 19th, 2009 at 11:52 pm 21

    The programme was excellent. Do you think we will see a bargain vintage for 2008 Bordeaux? I do hope so because of the euro and general economic situation.

22. Barry Dean February 20th, 2009 at 12:03 am 22

    I just watched the documentary, and I think it showed BBR in a very good light. Having shopped at your St. James’s store, and been on your mailing list for a while, I feel it humanised you – I loved the part in your Basingstoke office with the silly desk toys: I like the combination of heritage and lightheartedness. Also, the attention to detail of Simon, really matters – it’s properly professional, and further demonstrates the care you take.

    I must also say that I’m glad you stand up to the Bordeaux châteaux, who always seem to ask too much these days. The culmination – the serving of the 1870 – was a great lesson, albeit subtle and respectful, to the proprietor of Cos that you’ve been around almost as long as his domaine, and that your role cannot be underestimated.

    Just two personal gripe: the first is no-one’s fault, and totally cliché: how the other half lives! The second: as a champagne lover, such a shame that region gets so little publicity, although that may be a good thing for prices…

23. Paul Spateri February 20th, 2009 at 3:12 am 23

    Very much enjoyed the programme- David Clark made it look very easy to give everything up to manage a vinyard- i’m sure there is a whole programme in itself!
    I wondered if you think Cos is over expanding and possibly undermining the quality and care that has built its reputation . Will it ultimately become a high volume medium quality producer?

24. Ian Prescott February 20th, 2009 at 10:42 am 24

    I caught the last 15 minutes of the documentary and as a direct result I paid a visit to your Basingstoke shop only yesterday. I spent a delightful hour or so browsing accompanied by your superbly knowledgeable and friendly staff…and came away with a case of bin ends to enjoy including a special bottle to drink on my birthday (a big one).
    Thank goodness for the bried shot that showed your Basingstoke warehouse with the ‘Outlet sign’ prominently featured – it has provided you with at least one new customer.
    With thanks.

25. John February 20th, 2009 at 1:23 pm 25

    Thank you for the entertainment, but particularly for the introduction to David Clark’s wines which you have, since Monday evening, already delivered to me and which we have also now appreciated, just why Jasper and Jancis were so keen.

26. Neal February 20th, 2009 at 4:48 pm 26

    Simon

    I must say I really enjoyed the programme. Well done to you and the rest of the team!

    I have always enjoyed good wine, but I have only just started taking buying wine more seriously. I would like to ask you your opinion on Bordeaux v New World wine. I love drinking good Bordeaux and there is clearly a lot of history and heritage that goes with Bordeaux wine, but to a non wine expert like myself it seems like you can buy a wine from, say, Australia of the same quality for about half or even a third of the price.

    I know that ratings such as Parker are not necessarily the be all and end all, but looking at it simplistically, it is very difficult to find Bordeaux wines with ratings in the mid-90’s apart from 1st growths and some other GCC. On the other hand, there are a number of Aussie wines that have very high ratings at a fraction of the price (for example Yarra Yering which is rated 95-96 by Parker at £35 a bottle, etc).

    What is your view on this? Are we really just paying for heritage, history and investment value when we buy Bordeaux over Aussie wines or is there more to it than that? If not, is there a reason why ratings for even very expensive Bordeaux appear to be, on average, lower than Aussie wines which are much cheaper? Does this mean that Bordeaux should really just be left to investors but people who enjoy drinking wine that costs less than £50 a bottle should look elsewhere?

    It would be great to get your views on this.

    Neal

27. Simon Staples February 20th, 2009 at 6:24 pm 27

    @ David

    We stood the two bottles up for two days before. As you saw when the perfect little cork (sitting on my desk as I type) came out it was like I was Howard Carter opening Tutankhamun’s tomb. There was almost an inhalation. I was nervous that if i took the wine off the sediment the extra oxygen might kill it. As it was, half an hour in and she died a graceful death. We did give her a suitable, reverent send off.

    @Anya

    Thanks very much for your comments. It really is a common misconception that we only sell/promote just the “grand wines” at BBR . These, understandably, are always the ones that get the press excited and these are the ones that we rarely have a say in whether people will buy them or not as they are in an “asset class” of their own now sadly. I remember a couple of years ago I was very privileged in being able to taste Ch Margaux 2005 at the Chateau. It still remains the finest, most exciting wine I have ever had from barrel. It really was otherworldly, however my reverence was stopped dead in its tracks when I knew I’d never be able to afford such an amazing wine which was actually very sad. However, and especially in such thorny times, the trick is finding value and what is our “gospel” here is, if we don’t want to take it home and quaff that bottle, on a friday night with a pizza and some pals…we don’t buy it to sell. The majority of what we sell is in this category and I’d be delighted to recommend a selection of wines to fit any culinary occasion, just let me know.

    @ Sarah
    Delighted you enjoyed it and apologies that it came across as a male dominant environment. It really isn’t the case at all. As I have mentioned that there must have been 200 hours worth of footage the BBC took for the programme and they choose what best fitted into their programme. This sadly missed out most of what we do. Without checking in detail, I’d think our split at BBR is probably 60%/40% guys and girls which I would guess is pretty high for the industry admittedly. We have women in senior positions who manage our hospitality events, our Wine Club and our Irish business is run by a woman too. Three of our ladies are currently studying for their Master of Wine qualification, and women make up part of our buying team, to name just a few. I have to say on the Fine Wine team (approx 15) this is all male and unfortunately this is through what I have to believe must be closer to “lack of interest” as in 13 years I have run that side of the business we have only had 4 women apply and have taken them on. I really wish more women would come in to this side of the business but not sure how to encourage this. I believe lots of women get into the wine trade for its esoteric, nuances, subtleties and the intellectual side (I can pretty much guarantee that if you met any of the Fine Wine team they couldn’t tick many of those boxes!!) hence why all the top journalists are Jancis, Joanna Simon, Jane McQuitty, Gilly Goulden etc It’s a real conundrum I’m afraid. As for the dinner guests, they were invited purely on how many cases of Cos they had bought over the last 3 years, which I thought was the only fair way to distribute such a rare treat.
    I’m down in Bordeaux next week and I think this current environment will push this relationship to its most “exciting” levels in years…I cant wait !

28. Stuart February 20th, 2009 at 10:18 pm 28

    Simon

    Just watched the programme on iPlayer. Thought it was great: so much so that I’ve become a customer and bought 2 cases of David’s wine.

    Very well done

    Stuart

29. Ken Hilton February 20th, 2009 at 10:27 pm 29

    I really enjoyed the programme and you came across as the kind of guy it would be good to share a bottle of wine with. I agree with Neal’s comments above about new world wines and would have liked a bit more coverage on them. I am a big fan of Penfolds, from their everyday Bin 28 at £12.00 a bottle available at most supermarkets through to the two bottles of Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet (2004) which I bought from Berry Bros recently – a very big thank you for getting a case in – it is as rare as hens teeth outside of Australia and has a life of at least 30 years if stored properly. It is interesting to see the price differences between the vintages of the French first growths, You can still buy some 2004 bottles from an on-line supermarket outlet as presentation single bottles for between £180.00 and £325.00 – yet move on a year to 2005 and only BBR seem to have any and you wouldn’t get much change out of £1,000.00 per bottle. I have just bought two bottles of Henschke ‘Hill of Grace’ 2002 – hailed as one of their greatest ever vintages and it was only £60-00 or so dearer than a lesser vintage – for a wine that has been called Australia’s first growth. I haven’t got deep pockets and don’t get big city bonuses, but by looking for the best the new world has to offer, you can pick up world class wines for a few hundred pounds. Hunting them down is fun, the ownership is enjoyable and I look forward to some future special occasions when I can drink one or two at their peak – it would be very hard to simply turn them into cash, but then again speculators probably don’t like drinking wine anyway. Keep up the good work and please increase your stocks of new world classics in the future. Regards, ken

30. Peter May February 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm 30

    Really enjoyed the programme. It was brave of BBR to allow such access to the camera team as there have been many examples in the past of subjects being ’stiched up’ by editing, but BBR came out of it very well.

    Reason why i-player doesn’t work for users outside UK is that BBC has rights to show the programme in the UK. The programmes will be sold to broadcasters in other countries and those countries will pay for exclusivity in their area.

    Surprise was expressed at the short cork in the 1870 Cos — was that wine Chateau-bottled? I would have assumed that it was imported in barrel and bottled in England by BBR or an importer such as Averys or Harveys.

    And was it recorked in the past 100 years? What is your policy on recorking old bottles?

31. Travis Martinson February 22nd, 2009 at 12:31 pm 31

    Fantastic viewing. I love my wine but I’m a teacher with three children so £30 a bottle is my limit. I loved to hear about the industry and its pricing strategies. I’ve never bought from you in the past but will do so in the future.

32. Mark Simpson February 22nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm 32

    Great progarmme – to echo others here I thought you guys came accross very well, fun, but businesslike. (We should not forget you have a busienss to run!) Again, like others, I couldn’t resist ordering a case of David Clark’s wine – am looking forward to trying it in a couple of years or so.

    Bit worried about your comments on older wines – I have a few ’82s left (bottles that is) and several ’86s (cases) largely untapped – hope I haven’t missed the boat.

33. Simon Staples February 23rd, 2009 at 10:09 am 33

    @ Mark

    As long as you mean 1982 and 1986 rather than 1882 etc you’re totally fine although I probably would look at drinking up the 82’s if not First growths or very top super seconds. 1986’s of the same like are a bit more robust and have more of a life ahead of them.

    @ Travis

    If you’d like to email me on simon.staples@bbr.com and let me know what regions and styles you fancy perhaps I could put together a mixed case that might hit the spot.

34. Simon Staples February 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 am 34

    @ Peter
    We were extremely nervous about letting them loose on us to be frank, especially when they were not certain on what they wanted to focus on. They wanted to show the huge difference in the buying process of our two most important regions but that was about it. It was a leap of faith but they were sympathetic and showed us just as we are I think.

    On the Cos 1870, both bottles were Chateau bottled with levels mid/upper shoulder and neither had been recorked. Quite remarkable….and we have one left!.
    Recorking doesn’t really happen anymore now, the Chateaux arn’t geared up for it. Also recorked wine doesn’t have the same value, and original with slightly lower levels (base neck or better)

    @ Stuart
    Thank you very much and welcome!

    @ Ken
    Thanks a lot for your kind comments. I think we’ll need more than just one bottle to share though! I’m a huge fan of New World wines and I’m always looking for recommendations to add to my cellar. On a recent San Francisco to Vegas road trip with my wife we both became infatuated with Ridges Montebello Estate and ordered a bottle of a different vintage every night. It’s sensational with minimum of 10 years (better 15 years) of bottle age. For me it’s up there with Grange and Vega Sicilia. By no means is it a bargain with a ball park price of £100 a bottle but it almost gives First Growth or top Grand Cru Burg pleasure. Out of South America I was somewhat cynical on Moutons Almaviva project some 10 years ago but having tasted (and now bought for myself) the 2006 at about £60 a bottle is almost a bargain. It’s brilliant.
    I love the top Penfold wines and own a few but have been more seduced by the cool and restrained wines of Yarra Yerring. Again they need 10 years but they are beautifully precise and affordable at c. £30. I will endeavour to get more New World crackers in over the next year.

35. Simon Staples February 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am 35

    @ Paul
    I’m going to Cos tomorrow to have a look for the first time at “The Starship Enterprise” and I really can’t wait. Hopefully I’ll get a sneak peak at Jean Guillaume’s 2008. Having known the man for many years now, I know how driven he is to make the best possible wine he possibly can given the tools at his disposal. This can only enhance what is always one of the highlights of any En Primeur campaign. His 2001, 2002 and 2003 were simply sublime and are definitely up there in the top 5 wines of each of those years. His 04 is excellent (top 10) and his 2005 is off the scale and surpasses at least 2 of the 7 official 1st Growths. And with 06/07 both in top 10. So the quality is there already and as he said on the film he’s just going to use this state of the art facility to fine tune and give the Firsts a run for their money. However, and here’s the rub, with all the money invested in this “tweaking” will you or us pay the extra or will it always be a 2nd not a first growth, and therefore have no aspirational quality, and even if the quality is as good or even better will we pay more or the same as a First Growth?? Petrus, Lafleur and Le Pin all have no classification and are all more expensive (eventually) than the true Firsts and people pay that. I have enormous admiration what what he is doing and his totally direct and honest way of discussing his pricing policy and am looking forward to this years shenanigans to commence.

36. Simon Staples February 23rd, 2009 at 11:25 am 36

    @ Neal
    I’ll get back to you on Thursday if ok. Off to Bordeaux now to sample a few of the mysterious 2008s and lock antlers with numerous Borderlais buddies I’m sure

37. Tony February 25th, 2009 at 6:12 pm 37

    I also found the film to be very interesting, particularly after the trashy Oz Clarke stuff which was an insult to anyones intelligence. It is a little sad that the “top” growths are so out of most peoples reaches. I do get the impression though that many buy these wines (when it comes to the drinking) purely for effect. I have even been at an adjacent restaurant table when one well heeled punter asked for the most expensive “tannicy” red that they had without any reference to the wine list! (this was in the Fat Duck). Are wines that were of a high price in 1855 still that much better than everything else in the world? Every item you buy today has a huge amount of brand value attached, I cannot help but think that wines can fall into the same category.

38. Daniel February 27th, 2009 at 1:15 am 38

    As a recent Cellar Plan member I thoroughly enjoyed seeing ‘behind the scenes’, and am looking forward even more to your Rhone ‘07 tasting next month.

    Simon, reading the comments here about price / new world vs old world etc, compelled me to wonder to what extent you taste ‘blind’ when selecting wines? As a relative novice I find blind tasting to be a great way to challenge my own preconceptions, to set aside my prejudices about ‘brand’, price and even region, and to learn about what I actually like as opposed to what I think I like. But is there ever value in an experienced and well trained pallet tasting blind?

39. Vino Vangelist February 27th, 2009 at 11:38 am 39

    Interesting. The wine show in Burgundy looked like a lot of fun. The gold rush on Burgundy indeed!

40. Simon Staples February 27th, 2009 at 2:42 pm 40

    @ Neal

    Sorry not to have got back yesterday. The Bordelais weren’t playing ball. 2008 is going to be great fun!

    Tricky issue this one and difficult not to talk in broad generalisations. When I started in this business I thought that Australia, that was just coming on line then in the UK (after we had flirted with Bulgaria and Romania if you recall 20ish years ago) was the Saviour of all things vinous. Wolf Blass and Penfolds wines were a revelation and I told everyone. The fruit was just so sexy that you could not help but love it. Then one day in 1990 when I was working in Harrods Wine department I accidentally (honestly) snapped the neck off a bottle of 1982 Mouton Rothschild. I’ve got big paws I’m afraid. I called a couple of other team mates round the back and we tried it. It was a total revelation. Within 30 seconds…I got it. Now I know that was a fairly staggering bottle to get ones conversion with but it did start me off in the search of subtlety. Within about 3 months of that day I had drunk 1970 Beaucastel and 1978 La Tache (through the generosity of my customers) and I was totally hooked. But please don’t think I’m being elitist about this its just the longer you are into it you end up looking for more and more subtlety which tends to lead to more and more cash. Sadly. As a broad rule of thumb I rarely buy red wine for us at home less than £10.00 a bottle that is French or Italian. (There are one or two exceptions in Bordeaux. Our Extraordinary Claret at £10.50 a bottle by the case, made for us by Lynch Bages is a brilliant bottle for the price and is batting leagues above its price tag. I did buy it for the company so I’m totally biassed. Biassed but proud! And a few from the Languedoc). I can hardly remember buying a bottle of Pinot Noir for less than £20 that was from Burgundy preferring to go to New Zealand or West Coast US every time. Reds from £10-£20 the world really is your oyster as you can get brilliant entry level great Bordeaux (2004 Tourelles de Longueville at £18.75 a bottle is brilliant from BDX) but so to is Waterford Cabernet Sauvignon for £12.75 from South Africa and Pulenta Grand Corte from Argentina at £17.95 is awesome. I really think its over £50 a bottle that Bordeaux falls into the “heritage” category a bit. But there are certain times you have to say that Bordeaux can create ethereal wines that the new World just cant quite match. Earlier this week I retasted at the Ch. Cos Estournel and Palmer 2005 and wine really doesn’t get much better than this (I sound like that chap off Masterchef) and at £110 and £200 per bottle are they worth it????….. I really don’t know. In times like this they seem expensive and some would say its almost unethical spending that on a bottle of grape juice but what ethereal grape juice. Aston Martin Vanquish or new Fiat 500? Both stylish and sexy. The Aston is 10 x times the price of the fiat. The Palmer 2005 10 x the 2004 Tourelles de Longueville. Sadly being in the wine trade I have Aston taste but Fiat budget (as you saw me in the documentary I’m probably looking for a Citron Berlingo or Transit van!! But you get my point). We have to look for value for our own cellars and everyday quaffing. As for Big Bob……don’t get me started! However his scores are only representative of the region AND its vintage that is being reviewed for some totally unfathomable reason. A Cheeky Chilean Cab at £6.95 might get 92 points in a flight of Chilean wines but if you compared it to a 92 point Bordeaux from 2000 at £50 the Bordeaux, in the same flight, the BDX might still get 92 and the Chilean 75 points! Not exactly very helpful. As I say it’s also vintage specific so a 2006 Bordeaux such as Cos Estournel has just today been re “pointed” as 94 points and the 2005 at 98 points. The latter I totally agree with and although the 2006 is very good (again tasted this Tuesday by our buying team) in the context of all wines it’s not up to that score. So it’s totally impossible to compare Parker points when you cross match region or vintage. Sorry a long and rambling answer but I hope that helps. So, in a nutshell, because of duty and Vat it’s not really worth buying wine less than £5.00 retail. Stay away from France £5.00 to £10.00 and go crazy all over the world from £10 to £20! If you’d like more specific wines to fit the bill please drop me a line. simon.staples@bbr.com p.s I love Yarra Yerring and have about 10 cases or so in my Cellar Plan.

41. Simon Staples February 27th, 2009 at 4:52 pm 41

    @Tony
    Having just spent the week in Bordeaux tasting a few 2008’s but more getting a feel for how it’s all going to play out and I have a sneaking suspicion…..and please don’t quote me ……The Firsts might well come out first this year and about £1000 a case. Fingers crossed.
    As for the 1855 Classification it is bizarre how representative it actually is for the First Growths. They are NOW up to their exalted heights and to taste/drink one is a privilege. There are one or two other Chateaux that merit being there too but it’s from them down through the league tables that things get a wee bit more murky. Out of the 14 2nd Growths about half shouldn’t be there really in my opinion. We often dabble with the idea of doing a Berrys Classification but as I’d imagine we would never be invited to taste at the downgraded Chateaux ever again!
    Now, buying Bordeaux I’m a man who enjoys a bit of tannin but I would never ask for a wine that was “Tannicy!”….Ah well at least the food was good and it wasn’t in the Little Chef on the A303!

42. Simon Staples February 27th, 2009 at 5:38 pm 42

    @ Daniel
    When we come to buying the majority of our wines we have a slightly lengthy, but I really believe, the most honest way I can think of. For instance, I mention somewhere above, that Max Lalondrelle (Bordeaux Buyer), Mark Ross (Commercial Manager) and I spent a very long and I have to say frustrating week in Bordeaux in September ONLY tasting wines with a cost to us (in Bond) of 2 to about 7.5 euros. A ballpark of 500/600 wines. We individually score all the wines out of 20 and any of those that get a collective mark of 15 or more we look at again together and discuss its merits. We narrowed them down to 10/15 wines which we had samples sent back to the office in “Our Hampshire Cellars” where we and approx. 20 sales people tasted them blind and THEY chose about 6 wines which we bought about 1000/2000 cases of each. These are now in and the sales people start to recommend to their clients. I believe this is a much more democratic and fairer way of buying wine rather than a single buyer who BUYS and tells the sales staff to sell.
    We do a similar thing with En Primeur where we go down to Bordeaux over a two week period (approx 20 people) and we choose which wines we think are the best. I think particularly where the tasting is from barrel I prefer having numerous experts opinions rather than diving in on my own and buying 10’s of thousands of cases and getting others to sell them. Parker does this all on his own and he obviously has just his palate but he doesn’t have to purchase wine. If he did I’d imagine he’d take on a lil’tasting buddy or two. It’s also a lot more fun to chat over the wines we might or might not purchase. I hope that shines a little bit of light on our buying.
    I’m off to the Rhone for the first time ever this weekend and week ahead to “discover” this great 07 vintage. Very excited indeed. They have to be easier to buy than Bordeaux…it’ll be a breeze. I’m sure we shall have a lot to chat about at the tasting next month.

43. Daniel March 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 pm 43

    Simon – I just thought that someone ought to say a big ‘thank you’ to you for taking the time to answer all of the many and varied questions raised here in such detail. It really has been very interesting and enjoyable to follow all of these blog comments.

44. Simon Staples March 6th, 2009 at 10:01 am 44

    @ Daniel

    My pleasure. But dont get me started on 007 Rhone….What a revelation!
    Cheers

    Simon

45. Martin Pierce March 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm 45

    I wasn’t going to comment but am just amazed at Greg’s. I am not a well-heeled wine buyer but buy a few cases each year from a handful of different merchants. A few comments (1) BBR’s website is the best of all of them and is backed up with excellent customer service for all of us, (2) BBR balances sense of history (its own and wine’s) with a light touch and good sense of humour, (3) the lighter/more relaxed side came across particularly strongly in the film, so I am amazed Greg ended up feeling the opposite. Have always felt BBR go some way towards ‘being human’ through blog newsletter etc but the film was great at humanising further – esp. Simon and Jasper. Keep up good work BBR – the world is a better place for your existence.

46. travis martinson June 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm 46

    I’ve just noticed your response. I’ve already ordered my first box at bbr.com and went for the mixed quaffable clarets and they are all fantastic. I’ve enjoyed them all for different reasons. The St Emillion was smooth and some of the others needed longer to breath to mellow the tannins a bit. Fantastic, I will be back.

47. Stapes June 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am 47

    Thanks a lot Travis. The Fonbel is a cracker! Its one of three wines that CH Ausone makes (The most expensive wine ever released En Primeur is the 2005) The other wine is Moulin St Georges also from St Emilion. The 2004 of this is amazing. Its a tad young but the nose at this time is mind blowing.