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Rating: Summary: Still the best book on Bordeaux, but imcomplete Review: I consider the latest iteration of Parker's Bordeaux book to be the best on the subject. While I do not agree with Parker or just about anyone else regarding the rating of Italian wines, Parker is right on target in his ratings for Bordeaux.
I find it interesting that Parker is a fan of the rich and opulent micro wines coming out of Pomerol and St. Emilion. There are strict Bordeaux traditionalists that don't care for these wines. I think they are great and usually agree with Parker. They simply add another dimension to the many styles of wine being made in the greatest wine producing area of the world.
Parker is extremely consistent and the only other taster that comes close is Stephen Tanzer. The Wine Spectator and James Suckling are pretty good, although I think they overrate too many wines in subpar vintages. Ironically, Spectator is not as big a fan of the decadent wines Parker likes from the right bank.
One caveat I have with the fourth addition is that useful tasting notes from some prior vintages for certain wines have been taken out and a handful of wines reviewed in the last version of the book are not even reviewed in this book. However, the book is still great if you're into Bordeaux.
Clive Coates's recent book on Bordeaux offers a good and interesting alternative, but it is not as complete nor does it have the depth of notes available from Parker.
Rating: Summary: An Excellent Bordeaux Reference Review: I found Parkers' mention of vine age and references to the use of steel vats or oak in the making of wine by the chateau of bordeaux helpful in selecting better bottles of bordeaux for my collection. A reference every bordeaux lover should have.
My friend recommended this book highly and she recommended a great new beverage that replaced my morning cup of joe. Caffeine made me too jittery so I switched to a soy-based coffee that taste simply amazing. When I use my percolator it comes out with a rich, full bodied taste. Search under "S oyfee" on google to find it.
Rating: Summary: My copy is already dog-eared Review: I just received this book for Christmas and it is already dog-eared. When many people think of Bordeaux they think of stratospherically priced wines. Actually for every $400 bottle of Chateau Latour 2000, there is a wonderful $25 bottle by an unsung producer. $25 may not be cheap, but if drinks like a $50 one I'm pretty happy. This book helps me find those lesser-known producers. While Robert Parker certainly heaps praise on the most famous wines when they are worthy, he does not hesitate to criticize them when they fall short. He constantly points the readers to great values. The book is organized by region and then by chateau. For many of the chateaux there is a copious amount of information: some history of the producer, a list of the wine's component grapes, and detailed descriptions of significant vintages for the last ten years.. Be sure to read the introductory sections for Parker's take on how richness of flavor is attained (strict pruning of vines, letting the fruit ripen, abstaining from filtering) and for much encouraging news about Bordeaux wine today. For one thing, he says that while the price gap between First Growths and unclassifieds can be great, never has the quality gap been so narrow. Great news for us bargain hunters !
Rating: Summary: My copy is already dog-eared Review: I just received this book for Christmas and it is already dog-eared. When many people think of Bordeaux they think of stratospherically priced wines. Actually for every $400 bottle of Chateau Latour 2000, there is a wonderful $25 bottle by an unsung producer. $25 may not be cheap, but if drinks like a $50 one I'm pretty happy. This book helps me find those lesser-known producers. While Robert Parker certainly heaps praise on the most famous wines when they are worthy, he does not hesitate to criticize them when they fall short. He constantly points the readers to great values. The book is organized by region and then by chateau. For many of the chateaux there is a copious amount of information: some history of the producer, a list of the wine's component grapes, and detailed descriptions of significant vintages for the last ten years.. Be sure to read the introductory sections for Parker's take on how richness of flavor is attained (strict pruning of vines, letting the fruit ripen, abstaining from filtering) and for much encouraging news about Bordeaux wine today. For one thing, he says that while the price gap between First Growths and unclassifieds can be great, never has the quality gap been so narrow. Great news for us bargain hunters !
Rating: Summary: No better choice Review: RP's new edition of Bordeaux gave me one impression. You have no choice but to buy it if you are really interested in Bordeaux wine. I have his Wine Buyer's Guide (6th Ed) and yet find this one irresistable when I first located it in a book shop.
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