2004 was a so-called classic year in the Bordeaux wine region. That is, it was not excessively warm, dry or wet. These conditions produced beautiful wines, rich in finesse and aroma, with good aging potential. Last night we were able to take on two examples of 2004 vintage: Chateau Lynch-Bages from the Pauillac appellation and Chateau Giscours from the Margaux appellation. Both wines are thus in bottle for 14 years, which is usually a good window of time to taste wines from the Bordelais. Of course, this is only true if they have been previously stored in the cellar in good climatic conditions.

The subscription has paid off

If you have been so far-sighted and subscribed to the 2004 Bordeaux vintage, you have wines in your cellar that have significantly increased in value in the meantime. At that time, the Lynch-Bages cost just under 50 francs in the subscription. Today, the best-priced bottle is on sale for 120 francs. The value has therefore more than doubled. Even if you take into account the storage costs of 1 franc per year and bottle, there is still a nice increase in value. Do the math yourself!
2004 Giscours and Lynch Bages c weinkellerschweizch
Our example is intended to show that Bordeaux wines can be a good investment. But speculation is, of course, only one aspect of buying wine. For us, the fun in the glass is important. Therefore, we buy our wines for personal enjoyment.

A small battle

And which 04 was now the better wine? Both are enormously cool, lean, and delicate. La Eleganza in its purest form. We liked the Giscours better this evening. The Lynch-Bages was a bit dry and even short-bodied. Is that bad luck? I’m afraid not. Dear Jancis Robinson already described it that way five years ago. René Gabriel was also not completely convinced by this wine and gave it only 17 points. We award 90 points this evening, more is not possible, and recommend drinking or selling the wine. It will hardly get any better. Giscours is much more convincing and currently offers great drinking pleasure with lots of cassis, structure, and depth. He is a beautifully matured Bordeaux with melting, which offers the next few years a nice drinking window and gets 92 points from us.