2009 Bordeaux Futures Update

In an earlier post, I gave my recommendations on what wines would be a good buy from the 2009 Bordeaux Futures list.  Well ... the LCBO list was updated recently and a fair number of wines from my recommended list ended up being sold out. 

Hosanna, Duhart-Milon, LaFleur-Petrus, and Doisy-Daene (Sauterne) were all sold out after the first offering.  These wines were indeed worth the investment.  If you got a case, count yourself lucky.

My guess is that in the next offering, Pontet-Canet and Malescot-St. Exupery will be the next ones sold out.  I didn't order these but I so wish I did.  :)

My general wine pick for the month is the J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot.  I may have mentioned this one before and I still recommend it.  It is indeed a great wine for pairing with grilled meats.  This one sells out pretty quickly too.

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iPhone OS 4.0

Recently I upgraded my iPhone OS to version 4.0.  Huge mistake.  In case any of you run into the following problems with your iPhone after the OS upgrade, here are some tips:

Problem:  my battery is not lasting as long as before.  battery drains overnight.
Solution:  there is an app on your phone that is using locations services. 
go to settings -> general -> location services. 
turn off the location services for whatever app is listed. 
then reboot your phone.

Problem:  why can't i delete my email from gmail?
Solution:  turn archive messages off.
go to settings -> mail -> your gmail account
turn archive messages off
save settings.

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Activity Progress

Back in April, I had a long list of things I wanted to tackle over the summer.  It's check point time.  Where are we at with that list?

1. Continue taking yoga on a weekly basis.
• Progress:  I ended up dropping yoga.  It wasn't doing anything for me.
2. Sign up for the Wilton Cake Decorating course at Michael's
• Progress:  Done.  Completed course 1.  The instructor wanted me to continue with course 2 and 3.  We'll see.
3. Take up tennis again. I still want to learn the inside-outside forehand
• Progress:  I didn't take the lessons.  I ended up spending my budget on badminton instead.
4. Build my wine collection. There are 2009 Bordeaux Futures coming up. :)
• Progress:  :)  Well .... you've seen the posts.  Waaaaay out of my budget.
5. Experiment with different recipes. There are many things I've always wanted to try but never had time.
• Progress:  I cook every single night.  No tv dinners or instant noodles for this chick.  My ma encourages me to make soup for the week too.
6. Continue to write in my journal. It is very therapeutic for me.
• Progress:  does online journal count?
7. Catch up with friends. I have lost contact with some friends and it's time to reconnect.
• Progress:  So far, I have.  I have reconnected with several folks I have lost contact with over the years.
8. Summer badminton is up in the air. Most of my friends are likely joining the badminton club at the RA Centre.
• Progress:  Done.  Ended up joining the RA club and it was probably the best thing that I ever did.  Karen, you will be impressed at how well I am playing now.  My partner Justin and I have taken on some tough teams and we beat them!!  Justin and I have only been playing together for a few months and we are starting to know each other's style.
9. Bring my orchid back to life. It's been flowerless for a long time due to neglect. :(
• Progress:  This is slowly coming along.  It is still alive.

There is still a lot of summer left.  Who knows what else will get done.  :)

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What the French?

I knew that the prices for the big chateaux were going to be crazy but this is insane!  Who can afford this stuff?

Margaux - $1275/btl
Palmer - $495/btl
Lafite Rothschild - $1275/btl
Latour - $1375/btl
Mouton Rothschild - $1275/btl
Haut-Brion - $1395/btl
La Mission Haut-Brion - $1249/btl

The only one worth getting is the Malescot-St. Exupery @ $135/btl.  Good score and excellent aging potential.

So I'm officially out when it comes to 2009 Bordeaux Futures.  At these prices, it's just not worth it.  I believe it's a great vintage - no question.  But I don't believe these will double in value in 10 yrs.  Even if it does, it's not worth the investment anymore.  The 2005 vintage was just as great and I'll bet the wines from that year are much cheaper than what they are offering for the 2009.

Pudgy

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Who would you call?

I was in my office when the earthquake hit.  I don't think I've ever felt such a rumble beneath my feet before like that.  It started off mild but it got severe within milliseconds.  The rumbling lasted maybe 10 seconds but we were all bracing for the aftershock.  Apparently the earthquake registered at 5.5 on the Richter scale.

The building was evacuated.  The first person I went to look for was my co-worker Anne.  She has bad knees and in an evacuation situation, you cannot take the elevator.  I helped her down the stairs and outside safely.  Luckily, we were only on the 5th floor.  I heard those on the 12th floor and higher really felt the tremors.

The scene outside was organized chaos.  Everyone had their cell phones out, trying to reach loved ones.  Some were lucky enough to get reception.  Others were not.  My phone was out of juice.  Great timing, eh?

Seeing everyone trying to reach out to their loved ones made me think ....  who would you call first in a time of turmoil?  If you had one last thing to say to that person, what would it be?

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2009 Bordeaux Futures

What the heck is up with the prices for the 2009 Bordeaux Futures?  In my previous post, I mentioned that the Trotanoy was missing from the first list.  Well, the Trotanoy is available now .. and get this.  For a whopping $249 a bottle!!  The 2008 version of this wine went for $149 a bottle.  I don't see a difference in the score either.  I think the falling euro has something to do with it.

If anyone out there is considering futures, here are some that I think may be worth it:

Alter Ego - @ $85/btl
Clerc-Milon - @ $89/btl
Duhart-Milon - @ $99/btl
Pontet-Canet - @ $175/btl (near perfect score for under $200)
all of the Sauternes are supposed to be really good.
Hosanna - @ $175/btl (the l'Evangile scores the same but is $429/btl!  no thanks).
La Croix de Gay - @ $45/btl
Pavie-Macquin - @ $119/btl

The big names in Bordeaux have yet to be made available.  Seeing how Trotanoy is priced at $249, I may have to sell my Acura EL to get a Mouton Rothschild.  :)  If anything, the Sauternes are looking really good at this point.

In the June 26th LCBO release, the 2007 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel is supposed to be really good but is it $40 good?  Depends on who you ask.  I'm a fan of the Seghesio brand.  But for half the price, Rosenblum makes a perfectly good zin.

Stay thirsty, my friends.  And always.  Drink responsibly.

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Making progress in badminton

Tonight I started out playing pretty off.  My shots were so bad.  As the night went on, I started playing better.  Way better.

By the end of the night, my partner and I beat a pretty good team.  We won 2 out of 3 matches.  I also lost three birds throughout the night.  Boooo.

I think practice does make perfect.  Since I've started to play more often, I think I've improved bit by bit.  Unfortunately, the big toenail on my right foot is purple.  :(  Gotta be the shoes.

I've had my shoes for a year now and the power cushion is starting to wear out even though the shoe is still brand new.  I can't justify buying new shoes.  However, I have asked Kevin at the pro shop to let me know when these go on sale. 

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