First of all, thank you to all of you who have replied to my previous
questions.

I call myself a "newbie" because until just recently, I have never
appreciated the wonders that wine has to offer. Despite switching from
twist-off caps to vintage exclusively eight years ago (generally going with
the waiter's recommendations while dining out), it wasn't until I had an
aged Bordeaux (Chteaux La Lagune, 1975) that my true appreciation was
realized. The once-thought-of as "bitter" tannins were now nothing more than
residue, lost in a silky wonder of taste and smell. I don't have the
experience or the language to describe my experience to everyone here yet
(or the "nose"), but I hope to be able to do so soon.

Any advise on what I should do next? I want to duplicate (or improve) my
first experience. Rated at 86, I'm sure I can do better. But restaurants, or
even wine stores, do not carry the "interesting" ones I might find in a wine
magazine. I did notice the restaurant mark-up is quite high. And when I
google a high rated wine from a popular vintage, I find these in auctions
going for $350 per bottle. What might be a good approach to finding a great,
yet affordable, Bordeaux?

Thanks in advance.