2000 Christian Moueix Merlot, Bordeaux AOC, France. 12.5% alcohol. $6.

Tasted from Riedel Grand Cru Sommeliers. Medium dark ruby red color with lots of thin clear legs. Understated aromas of plum, mocha, and oak. Slightly high acidity and moderate tannins greet the palate with moderate plum and oak flavors. Drink now. 82 points.

Ok, I'll bite: Why in the hell were YOU drinking this?

What do you mean? I taste cheapies fairly regularly. The reason why I opened this one was that the $70 Togni 2000 I opened beforehand on a weeknight sucked so bad most of went down the drain thus I didn't feel like tempting fate with another expensive clunker.

I've seen this wine in Vancouver quite a few times, albeit at C$19, and was curious but wouldn't bite at that price. I assumed it would be a latter-day Mouton Cadet. Sounds like it's much better than I would have anticipated, especially at YOUR cost.

Thanks for the note.

This is one of the most obscure bottles in my collection. Believe it or not I have a 3 litre bottle of this stuff from the 1997 vintage.

Someone gave it to me as a gift.

Maybe I should just bring it to the next barbeque I go to.

Any ideas on what I should do with the damn thing, it's taking up valuable cellar space.

I would take it to the next BBQ if you know what I mean.

Yes, I do.

It may be less drinkable now than when released. My guess is it may be dead now. Perhaps the large format will give it some extra life.

ga-probably an extra week.

LOL, now that's funny.

I guess you guys think this one is not a 25 year Bordeaux ager. HA HA!

Is this the same guy that owns Petrus?

Yes. The Moueix firm owns quite a few properties in Pomerol.

yes.

I just pulled this baby out of storage. Lo and behold it's a 96 not a 97.

A better vintage but a year older. I'll open it tomorrow and see how bad it is.