For Immediate Release: Monday, August 11, 2008
Montgomery County’s Department of Liquor Control (DLC) is offering 2005 vintage Bordeaux wines in its stores. The wines are being referred to by industry experts such as The Wine Spectator and Robert Parker as, “a record-breaker on every level” and “world class wine.”
DLC buys Bordeaux vintage wine “futures” to secure allocations of these great wines to better serve customers. As with any futures purchase, this involves risk, since there is no guarantee that the wines will receive great ratings. However, buying futures does keep costs down, and allows for purchasing limited quantity wines that may not be available if the buyer waits until they are bottled.
“Many of the older Chateaux are difficult to acquire, and so many of the good opportunities to purchase these wines involve buying Bordeaux up to two years before they are bottled,” said DLC Director George Griffin. “Our risk paid off, as these wines have been highly rated by experts in the wine industry.”
Bordeaux Futures are purchased based on available information on that growing season, such as general climate and amount of rainfall, the Chateau history and the price offering. Most offerings are good for one day only, and the wines are purchased through a “negociant,” someone who has long-standing relationships with the Chateaux. DLC directly imports these Bordeaux from France, arranging for label approval of the wines and purchasing shipping container quantities.
Some of the 2005 wines include: Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (95 points Wine Spectator); Chateau Margaux Margaux (100 points); Chateau Cheval-Blanc (97 points); Chateau Lalfite Rothschild (98 points); and Chateau La Mission-Haut-Brion (97 points).
Many of the wines are available in limited quantities and quite expensive, but some are more affordable at less than $15 a bottle.
For information regarding specific wine availability, email diane.wurdeman@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Release ID: 08-315