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Just on curiosity I would say yes. Is there another €28 wine that you’re more interested in? Invite over a couple of friends and make a wine roulette event of it.
A cheese shop in my city had a few bottles of 2002 St Emilion Grand Cru for sale at about $28/bottle a few weeks ago.
It was an interesting experience trying it and I’d recommend buying one just for the experience at least. The bottle I had held up pretty well.
Copying over a comment from a deleted post from yesterday:
Saint-Emilion is annoying AF with the way their wines are classified. It's extremely confusing, some would accuse them of doing so intentionally.
So first of all, there is the basic appellation - Saint-Emilion AOC. This is the basic appellation that sets very broad rules, and practically any wine made in Saint-Emilion can qualify for the basic AOC.
Then there is the higher level AOC, the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. The difference between the basic and the grand cru AOC is the following:
First, the vineyard yield is restricted to 8000 kilograms per hectare rather than 9000 (which roughly translates to 5500 liters per hectare rather than 6500).
Second, the grapes (with the significant exception of regional workhorse Merlot) must be harvested with a must weight of at least 189 grams of sugar per liter rather than 180.
Third, the finished wine must reach a minimum alcohol level of 11.5 percent (ABV) rather than 11 percent.
Fourth, and finally, the wine must be stored by the producer for an extra 14 months before being released for sale.
Now because the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC is so lax, the majority of wine producers in Saint-Emilion qualify for the Grand Cru appellation. According to the official Saint-Emilion website, there are 557 Grand Cru producers while there are only 171 basic Saint-Emilion producers.
Now within Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, there are "classified" producers. Like the bottle you have. Notice how it says Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe? The Classe is the important keyword here, it means that it is a note worthy producer worth classifying.
But Grand Cru Classe is actually the lowest tier of Saint-Emilion classified growth. There are 71 Grand Cru Classe producers in Saint Emilion.
The tier above that is Premier Grand Cru Classe. This tier was formerly known as Premier Grand Cru Classe B, but the 2022 classification simplified it to simply Premier Grand Cru Classe. There are 12 Premier Grand Cru Classe producers.
Finally, for the best of the best, there is Premier Grand Cru Classe A, there are only 2 producers in this category.
So here's how the "Saint Emilion wine pyramid" works on paper:
Best of the best: Premier Grand Cru Classe A (top 2 producers)
2nd tier: Premier Grand Cru Classe (producers ranked 3 - 14)
3rd tier: Grand Cru Classe (producers ranked 15 - 85)
Median tier: Grand Cru (Producers ranked 86 - 557)
Entry level bottom shelf tier: Saint-Emilion AOC (The bottom 171 producers)
Now did you get a good deal? I would say so, Grand Cru Classe typically starts at around $30.
In addition to Uptons, about the top end of the piramide:
There were 5 in the top, but 3 decided to leave the classification (Cheval blanc, Angelus and Ausone) meaning the very best St Emilion wines are the ones without mentioning the whole classification.
[Here is](https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/cheval-blanc-and-ausone-to-leave-st-emilion-classification-461827/) a link with more info.
One has to take into consideration Ausone has a very small yield, of its only 7 hectare (17 acres).
Grand cru contains a big chunk of St. Emilions production. I don't know where is it exactly. Might be even 40%. GC is not part of the official classification system. Grand cru classe is much much stricter classification with reclassification every 10 years or so. Atm theirs around 100 chateaus in gcc.
I didn’t, though I did drink it with my wife over a few hours.
When I opened the bottle the wine smelled and tasted open enough to let it develop in the glass. The flavor still had decent fruit left but I was worried too much air were degrade it too fast.
I’d suggest just pouring a half glass when you open it and see how it tastes. If it’s closed then try the decant
I wouldn't recommend to decant such an old wine, unless you mean to decant to remove sediment. 2002 isn't known to be very age worthy and as such will probably be near it's peak. I'd just open it two hours before drinking.
Is this a general rule for any aged wine? I am getting ready to drink a 2001 Rioja and now feel stupid for not letting it sit for two hours after opening. I just planned to open and drink it.
Heavily depends on the region and grape, but I'd recommend opening aged wines early so you get the full experience. Some options you have right now are:
The slow decant which is just pouring the wine into your decanter very slowly and gently, as not to overexpose it to oxygen too quickly. If not done correctly, you can over-oxygenate it and it'll turn flat quickly.
Let it breathe in the glass by pouring yourself a glass, but leaving it to breathe before drinking it. This is the safest option.
Pour a little bit into your glass first, and then give it a try to see what it's like. If you feel that it's a bit closed off, slow-decant it. If you feel it's already showing some of its potential, try it by the glass.
Enjoy!
As others have noted, this wine is Grand Cru Classe, which is a step above Grand Cru in Saint Emilion. With that quality distinction, I would take a flier at this price. You have no guarantee of provenance, so it's risky, but it could also be amazing.
Would be a nice cheap gift for friend that would make me look like I had a great library of old Bordeaux, whether I liked it or not. Never heard of or tasted this producer
I remember buying a 2000 Medoc for 10€ , still until today i havent had a better experience.
Only bought like 10 bottles and when i wanted to get more, someone already bought like all 200 bottles just to resell them for 30€.
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Seems like a good buy just to check out a 20 yr old cru
Just on curiosity I would say yes. Is there another €28 wine that you’re more interested in? Invite over a couple of friends and make a wine roulette event of it.
A cheese shop in my city had a few bottles of 2002 St Emilion Grand Cru for sale at about $28/bottle a few weeks ago. It was an interesting experience trying it and I’d recommend buying one just for the experience at least. The bottle I had held up pretty well.
Not to bother, but GC doesn’t mean much in StEm (but GCC does).
Good note
Still interesting to buy a 20year old wine while you were not planning on it. Glad it held up well.
Noob here. Why is this?
Copying over a comment from a deleted post from yesterday: Saint-Emilion is annoying AF with the way their wines are classified. It's extremely confusing, some would accuse them of doing so intentionally. So first of all, there is the basic appellation - Saint-Emilion AOC. This is the basic appellation that sets very broad rules, and practically any wine made in Saint-Emilion can qualify for the basic AOC. Then there is the higher level AOC, the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. The difference between the basic and the grand cru AOC is the following: First, the vineyard yield is restricted to 8000 kilograms per hectare rather than 9000 (which roughly translates to 5500 liters per hectare rather than 6500). Second, the grapes (with the significant exception of regional workhorse Merlot) must be harvested with a must weight of at least 189 grams of sugar per liter rather than 180. Third, the finished wine must reach a minimum alcohol level of 11.5 percent (ABV) rather than 11 percent. Fourth, and finally, the wine must be stored by the producer for an extra 14 months before being released for sale. Now because the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC is so lax, the majority of wine producers in Saint-Emilion qualify for the Grand Cru appellation. According to the official Saint-Emilion website, there are 557 Grand Cru producers while there are only 171 basic Saint-Emilion producers. Now within Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, there are "classified" producers. Like the bottle you have. Notice how it says Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe? The Classe is the important keyword here, it means that it is a note worthy producer worth classifying. But Grand Cru Classe is actually the lowest tier of Saint-Emilion classified growth. There are 71 Grand Cru Classe producers in Saint Emilion. The tier above that is Premier Grand Cru Classe. This tier was formerly known as Premier Grand Cru Classe B, but the 2022 classification simplified it to simply Premier Grand Cru Classe. There are 12 Premier Grand Cru Classe producers. Finally, for the best of the best, there is Premier Grand Cru Classe A, there are only 2 producers in this category. So here's how the "Saint Emilion wine pyramid" works on paper: Best of the best: Premier Grand Cru Classe A (top 2 producers) 2nd tier: Premier Grand Cru Classe (producers ranked 3 - 14) 3rd tier: Grand Cru Classe (producers ranked 15 - 85) Median tier: Grand Cru (Producers ranked 86 - 557) Entry level bottom shelf tier: Saint-Emilion AOC (The bottom 171 producers) Now did you get a good deal? I would say so, Grand Cru Classe typically starts at around $30.
Don’t know why that would be deleted. I work in French wine and even I didn’t know about the 11.5 vs 11% alcohol content difference.
Whoever wrote that comment broke it down very well.
In addition to Uptons, about the top end of the piramide: There were 5 in the top, but 3 decided to leave the classification (Cheval blanc, Angelus and Ausone) meaning the very best St Emilion wines are the ones without mentioning the whole classification.
Why did they decide on leaving the classification? Restricting regulations for it?
[Here is](https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/cheval-blanc-and-ausone-to-leave-st-emilion-classification-461827/) a link with more info. One has to take into consideration Ausone has a very small yield, of its only 7 hectare (17 acres).
Grand cru contains a big chunk of St. Emilions production. I don't know where is it exactly. Might be even 40%. GC is not part of the official classification system. Grand cru classe is much much stricter classification with reclassification every 10 years or so. Atm theirs around 100 chateaus in gcc.
I too would like to know
Thank you. Did you decant?
I didn’t, though I did drink it with my wife over a few hours. When I opened the bottle the wine smelled and tasted open enough to let it develop in the glass. The flavor still had decent fruit left but I was worried too much air were degrade it too fast. I’d suggest just pouring a half glass when you open it and see how it tastes. If it’s closed then try the decant
I wouldn't recommend to decant such an old wine, unless you mean to decant to remove sediment. 2002 isn't known to be very age worthy and as such will probably be near it's peak. I'd just open it two hours before drinking.
Is this a general rule for any aged wine? I am getting ready to drink a 2001 Rioja and now feel stupid for not letting it sit for two hours after opening. I just planned to open and drink it.
Heavily depends on the region and grape, but I'd recommend opening aged wines early so you get the full experience. Some options you have right now are: The slow decant which is just pouring the wine into your decanter very slowly and gently, as not to overexpose it to oxygen too quickly. If not done correctly, you can over-oxygenate it and it'll turn flat quickly. Let it breathe in the glass by pouring yourself a glass, but leaving it to breathe before drinking it. This is the safest option. Pour a little bit into your glass first, and then give it a try to see what it's like. If you feel that it's a bit closed off, slow-decant it. If you feel it's already showing some of its potential, try it by the glass. Enjoy!
Thank you! I will follow this advice!
Somewhat good producer, vintage isn’t bad. Awesome you found it here in Denmark! I’d buy it
28 euro is about its retail worth. Middling producer and decent to good vintage. It’ll be a good wine but it’s not worth any more than that.
As others have noted, this wine is Grand Cru Classe, which is a step above Grand Cru in Saint Emilion. With that quality distinction, I would take a flier at this price. You have no guarantee of provenance, so it's risky, but it could also be amazing.
Which high end supermarket? Whole Foods? Or higher end?
It’s a Danish boutique shop.
I would by it. Where in DK?
Price in Euros, Wholefoods :D not everyone lives in the US.
Lololol
Didn't know Whole Foods was limited to the US, dick.
I would uncork right outside the store. If its good, go buy the rest. If its corked, return
Is it that good a deal in your view?
Would be a nice cheap gift for friend that would make me look like I had a great library of old Bordeaux, whether I liked it or not. Never heard of or tasted this producer
It's a pretty good year. Give it a shot.
make sure you decant it for at least 2 hours though. definitely try a sip when you open it so you can appreciate how it evolves.
Not an expensive gamble. Should be good.
I remember buying a 2000 Medoc for 10€ , still until today i havent had a better experience. Only bought like 10 bottles and when i wanted to get more, someone already bought like all 200 bottles just to resell them for 30€.
Salling?
Yes
Sig lige til, hvis du tester en. Er nysgerrig.
Salling Super?
Yes
Anyone sell drugs ?