Wine Tasting: Bordeaux, Age vs. Vintage

The test was to compare a set of Bordeaux wines from the same producers from a less successful vintage (1997), but with more age, against better, but more recent (2000, 2005, 2007), vintages. All in all, I think age won out. Which is to say, three of my four favorites were from the supposedly poor 1997 vintage. Turns out, not so  Here's what we had, my favorites in bold.

1. 1997 du Tertre, Margaux ($40): I thought this was lovely, but it was a little lacking in fruit for many who preferred the 2005.
2. 2005 du Tertre, Margaux (1.5L) ($80): the crowd favorite, showed a solid core of ripe fruit, but also darker Bordeaux characteristics like leather, graphite, and tobacco. It faded after a couple hours, though, which was a surprise.
3. 1997 Poujeaux, Moulis ($43): there was a strong family resemblance between the '97 and the '07, both very good, but not the measure of others at the same price.
4. 2007 Poujeaux, Moulis ($30): see above.
5. 1997 Labegorce, Margaux ($30): the killer value of the evening, this was drinking great right now, and K&L Wine still has 20 more bottles!
6. 2000 Labegorce, Margaux ($40): also wonderful after about an hour of open time, but at $40, I'd rather have another of the '97.
7. 1997 Potensac, Médoc ($27): these two were good, but outclassed by the others. At this price, spend an additional $3 for the '97 Labegorce.
8. 2000 Potensac, Médoc ($50): see above.
9. 1997 Réserve de Comtesse, Pauillac ($40): the other crowd favorite, and my favorite of the evening. The second label of Pichon-Lalande, the famous Bordeaux producer. Had more complexity than any of the others, and much better than any $40 Napa Cab I can think of. Sadly, out of stock.