2008 Bordeaux – Saved by the Weather Bell
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A Smith-Haut-Lafitte baby
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For the second year in a row, the Bordeaux harvest
was saved at the 11th hour by the weather
gods who stretched out their hands to deposit a high
pressure system over the region at the end of the
second week of September.
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Prior to this, the weather had been iffy, to say the
least.
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The year kicked off mild and the vines started their
growth cycle rather earlier than is normal. However,
the vines’ development proceeded remarkably
slowly, leading me to wonder whether they’re
cleverer than their reputation suggests (many would
accuse them of being in a permanent vegetative
state). The weather thereafter turned phooey.
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And it stayed phooey in varying degrees until
September. Then the sun came out, although the
temperatures remained cool. The vineyards dried off
and the fruit started to ripen in conditions that
were cool both day and night. It is this coolness
that has lent freshness and higher aromatics to the
finished wines.
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The situation is remarkable, in that there were a
great many fabulous wines made in 2008. Less
surprising is that there are a number of dogs that
need sifting through; wines with searing acidities
and swingeing tannins.
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I wondered, half way through the week, whether those
who had partaken in the 1988 primeur tastings had had a
similar experience: a facial battering of angular
tannin, with that crisp ‘n’ pure fruit
waiting to emerge after a suitably lengthy period in
one’s cellar.
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Château La Mission Haut-Brion
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The Wines
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St Estèphe
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Pruners at work at Château Montrose
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Montrose, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Notes: An opaque black-purple almost to the rim
This is a touch closed, but gives up a blend of aromas including cassis and damson fruit with hints of oriental spice, star anise, perhaps. There's a hint of what I could only describe as orange
A cool, fresh wine right from the off; rich and full of tannic/mineral structure. The flavours are cassis and plums with a hint of those crunchy-fresh plum skins. There's a good fresh thrust to the long finish. Very juicy ending. The tannins are fine and grippy; integrated; nutty. Nice mineral intensity at the back. Juicy grip here. A classic.
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£510.00 |
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| 2008 |
Pagodes de Cos, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Fresh and very pure nose of cassis and plum and the wood, whihc smells of nutty, polished tables. Will turn cedary. A note of dried herbs and, perhaps, chocolate. Very fresh nose.
A cool palate, very much medium weight, but there's a lovely intensity of fresh cassis and plum fruit. there are some mild and integrated tnanins. Both length and grip are very good. Great crisp lift at the back. Superb Pagides.
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2012-2022 |
12x75cl |
£237.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cos d'Estournel, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Fresh nose of summer berry fruits. I found cassis and damson - very dark. Plus dry spice and wood spice.
The palate's really cool and composed. This is reallly quite subtle, the tannins bigger than one first ssupects when tasting it. Very long in the mouth, with hidden juice and a lovely linear profile. The tannins really are very fine. Plum and cassis. Delicious Cos.
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2017-2035 |
12x75cl |
£786.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Calon-Ségur, St Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 80% Cab Sauv, 18% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot
Lovely pure blackcurrant Cabernet aromas, along with plenty of spice and mineral, the whole sweetly ripe
This has an almost regal purity about it, with delightfully ripe, velvet-textured tannins. Long and classically built. Just fine Calon
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2017-2030 |
12x75cl |
£300.00 |
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Pauillac
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Wisteria starting to flower on the walls of
Château Lafite
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes:
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2019-2035 |
6x75cl |
£840.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: An opaque black-purple in the glass, with a very wispy band at the rim
DMR has a floral, nutty nose ink '08 and the fruit is a touch closed. There are tarry notes to the fresh cassis and plum fruit
This goes in creamy and tasting of cassis and damson, nicely pure. The tannins are chunkier, more upright than those in the Carruades. There's fine drive to the long finish. Coolly persistent, the acidity is better hidden than with some wines of the vintage. This is structured and subtle, long and complete. Lovely Duhart this year
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2014-2023 |
12x75cl |
£276.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Opaque ruby purple
Lovely purity of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon fruit; cassis; a touch floral. There are minerals on show
Cool, a touch creamy on entry. Fresh and pure blackcurrant fruit. Then this rather closes up. Rich, very fine, quite upright, nutty tannins. Long and this gains in fresh grip. The fruit remains very pure. Lovely structure here. I suspect that the reputation of this will grow once it's settled down a bit.
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2016-2035 |
6x75cl |
£810.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
The nose here is riper than many: a rich blend of ripe black fruits, blackcurrant and plum. There's a distinct cola note, too
A ripe, but crisply fresh palate giving fruit of crunchy blackcurrants and plums. There are some medium, very well integrated tannins, really quite upright and a swelling grip. Structured, crisp, cool wine. Long and with fabulous intensity at the finish. A touch floral in its aftertaste. Red and black purity at the very finsh. Lovely wine.
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2013-2022 |
12x75cl |
£240.00 |
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| 2008 |
Le Petit Mouton, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot
Deep ruby purple in colour
A rich nose and a floral one, a little creamy and of spicy red and black fruit, with a sprinkling of wood
A cool and silky entry full of that red and black fruit. There are generous tannins, fine and nutty. Lots here, in fact. This is long and structured, giving up fresh cassis-like fruit. Intense at the back. PM goes from strength to strength.
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2015-2025 |
6x75cl |
£400.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Clerc Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes:
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£264.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 83% Cab Sauv and 17% Merlot
A fresh nose, a touch floral, with hints of smoke. The fruit is all about pure cassis.
An easy, ripe entry, then the palate picks up minerality and laid-back grip. The minerals are like ground, metallic glass for the moment. The tannins are quite raw, but very nicely integrated. This is altogether long and finely balanced. A very cool wine and a highly structured one. Good persistence. Medium plus acidity. This is busy and complete, if a little unformed at the moment.
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2018-2035 |
6x75cl |
£831.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 66% Cab Sauv, 32% Merlot and 2% Cab Franc
Lovely fresh fruit about the nose here. Aromas of blackcurrant and plum and the merest hint of the wood
A creamy, ripe, silken entry. This is friendly wine! The medium acidity is very well hiddenbeneath the ripe fruit. Nuty, fine, quite mild and integrated tannins. A touch mineral. Nice grip at the back. Long, with lovely pure, pretty fruit
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£210.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 69% Cab Sauv, 28% Merlot and 3% Cab Franc
There's an intersting fruit note about the nose: candied black cherries. Blackcurrant, floral notes, too.
A creamy and very cool entry. The tannins are nutty, quite present and semi-integrated. This is a touch backward, but with subtle, persistent grip. Long and fresh; indeed, more acidity than the Haut-Batailley. Long and beautifully fresh, with fine intensity at the finish. Composed, complete, structured wine. Very long with a fabulous finish.
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pichon-Baron, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 71% Cab Sauv amd 29% Merlot
TYhis is almost opaque with a very, very narrow band at the rim
A somoky, meaty nose of crisp, black, rather floral fruit
A creamy, rich entry, then highly structured. Big, integrated tannins. Pure, fine, fresh fruit. A masculine example and one built for the long haul.
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2017-2030 |
12x75cl |
£522.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 63% Cab Sauv, 29% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Very deep ruby colour with pink lights
AHints of citrus about this nose of red and black fruits. Floral notes to the plumminess
Supple and cool on entry. Then full of nicely ripe and wonderfully integrated tannins. This gains in size: that old peacock's tail chestnut. Cool and rich and structured and grippy. Very long and lovely.
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2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£471.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 65% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc and 1% Petit Verdot
Lovely, slightly creamy nose of ripe blackcurrants and plums, plus smoke and a clove-like spice
There's great, cool concentration about the palate. Great tension here. Very mineral, long and consistent. Rich, chunky, integrated tannins. Fresh and pure. This is fabulous.
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2018-2035 |
12x75cl |
£522.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 78% Cab Sauv, 13% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. It saw 75% new oak
Very deep in hue and a lovely bright purple
Quite a dense nose of spicy black plum fruit. There are hints of dark cocoa powder and blackcurrants. A touch of creamy smokiness to the nose.
Very, very cool palate. Backward and very crisp. There are some serious tannins here, but I find them credible. This rests on the purity of its fruit at the moment. It's almost citrus fresh. Get ready for a loooong thumb-twiddling session.
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£390.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cantemerle, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Delicious nose of ripe berry fruit, red and black
In the mouth, the tannins don't intrude on the purity and sillky texture of the fruit and the wine's lovely freshness. Length good. Good Cantemerle
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2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£162.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: This property has experienced a real drive for quaility of late and this is a culmination of that work.
Aromas are rich and pure and loaded with classic blackcurrant and cassis fruit, spiced by the wood
In the mouuth, this is disarmingly lush, full and conentrated, crammed with Pauillac blackcurrants. Very ripe Cab Sauv fruit. The tannins are rich and beautifully velvet-ripe. A great success.
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£201.00 |
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St Julien
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Vats in the cellars of Château Branaire-Ducru
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Branaire-Ducru, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 68% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cab Franc
Really very floral nose of black fruit: currant and cherry. This is fresh to smell and very pretty.
Very rich and concentrated palate, with rich tannins. This is a little angular at the moment, but has all the compnents to last and be something really special when mature
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Ducru-Beacaillou, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 85% Cab Sauv and 15% Merlot
Good ripeness to the aromas here, although it's a touch reticent. There are floral scents and fruit of cassis and damson, with a nutty wisp. Bright and beautiful nose
Up front, the palate's creamy and plush. That wonderfullly fresh black fruit is backed by great freshness. The tannins are not insignificant, slightly grainy at the moment, but with time they will harmonise with the fruit, which shows impressive density at the finish. Fine Ducru.
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2016-2035 |
12x75cl |
£759.00 |
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| 2008 |
Clos du Marquis, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: This is a little closed on the nose, but agitation brings out slightly smoky damson fruit
A lovelu, creamy, cool and tangy entry. This is both juicy and nutty. The tannins are a touch grainy at the moment, but they are well integrated. Long and delicious. Fine CdM
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2015-2026 |
12x75cl |
£264.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Léoville-Lascases, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Lovely purity of ripe cassis fruit to the nose. A touch floral. Delightfully creamy aromas
A creamy, cool entry of very pure cassis fruit. This is rich in fruit and tannin, although the tannins are in a different class to most other wines this vintage. The finish has a swathe of smoke. Great minerality here. Grippy, fresh and very persistent. Some dried fruit right at the very end. Regal stuff, as it often is
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2018-2040 |
12x75cl |
£912.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Langoa-Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc
Opaque, thick looking, with a very narrow band at the rim
A slightly creamy nose of crème de cassis and peppery spice
Really spicy palate that includes lovely blackcurrant fruit. This is compact at the moment, the tannins are rich, but integrated. I find this very credible; very good, with a lovely shape.
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£252.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Léoville-Barton, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc
Opaque black/blue/purple
A rich and very black nose of plum and cassis, along with hints of smoke and black cocoa powder
This is just soooo backward at the moment. The tannins are just about integrated and pretty burly at this stage. Inky black plum and cassis fruit. This is full of fresh grip. A bit brooding, but focussed, fresh, structured and very age-worthy.
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2018-2035 |
12x75cl |
£342.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Léoville-Poyferré, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot
Opaque black/purple with a super-narrow band at the rim
A ripe nose and an aromatic one of rich chocolaty plum and cassis fruit. There are smoky notes and some blueberry complexity
This goes in the mouth really coolly and quite creamy and there's that cassis and blueberry fruit again. There are plenty of minerals and chunky tannins. Really big grip here. And this is very fresh, offering excellent shape and finish. Top LP.
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£330.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Talbot, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 75% Cab Sauv, 22% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot
A bluish, very deep ruby purple
A spicy and smoky, piquant nose of cassis fruit. Almost a capsicum note here.
A cool, creamy entry, then fresh, with rich, credible tannins lending a nuttiness. Very long. The finish is a juicy twist of fruit,a cidity and tannin. Blackcurrants on the aftertaste. Good Talbot.
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2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£252.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Gruaud-Larose, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot
A deep ruby pink colour
Really smoky notes to this damson scented nose
There's a hint of cocoa powder and a lovely richness of fruit up front. Then this becomes richly tannic. Spicy, and really pretty serious stuff.
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Beychevelle, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 48% Cab Sauv, 47% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc
A deep ruby purple
Very nice pirity of ripe cassis fruit. Youthful simplicity, but then...
...clean, pure blackcurrant, plus minerals. There's real crunch here. The tannins are rich and give a peppery spice to the whole. This just cleans up at the long finish with a fresh wipe of acidity and the sort of fruit that crunches between the teeth. Clearly defined and exact. Good stuff.
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£267.00 |
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| 2008 |
Les Fiefs de Lagrange, St Julien, Bordeaux, France
Notes:
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0-0 |
12x75cl |
£129.00 |
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Margaux
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Château Disney Palmer from
Château Margaux
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château d'Issan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes:
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0-0 |
12x75cl |
£258.00 |
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| 2008 |
Pavillon Rouge de Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 68% Cab Sauv, 26% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cab Franc
Lovely nose, good and rip, with liquorice notes and pure fruit aromas of cassis and plum, all a touch floral
Medium weight. The tannins are really ripe and it has perhaps lower acidity than the average in '08. Nutty, with lovely grip and freshness. Nice pure wine.
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2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£321.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 87% Cab Sauv, 10% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1.5% Cab Franc
Very deep pinky ruby in the glass
Lovely floral aspects to the pure red and black currant fruit. Wisps of the wood. Overall, a really perfumed wine. Liquorice here, too. And nut
This is compact and finely structured in the mouth. A lovely fresh concentration. Backward and grippy, the tannins are upright and they grip further back on the tongue. Very long, with fine equilibrium. I think this will be a classic
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2018-2035 |
6x75cl |
£810.00 |
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| 2008 |
Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 52% Merlot and 48% Cab Sauv
Very deep in colour
Good pure nose of red and black fruit: blackcurrant, plum, black cherry. A little nutty wood. Very claretty, somehow
Creamy, pure and cool entry of silken fruit of red and black currant. Rich tannins, but integrated and velvet-textured. Lovely tang of black cherry skins. Juicy-fresh, long and integrated.
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2013-2019 |
12x75cl |
£297.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 51% Merlot, 41% Cab Sauv and 8% Petit Verdot
Some liquorice and floral aspects to this rather closed nose. What fruit is showing is very pure, very black
A very cool and creamy entry of damson and black cherry fruit. The ripe tannins are very rich; the whole thing very long, with subtle grip and big juice factor. Highly persistent. The finish is excellent. Slight medicinal touch at the very end. Super stuff.
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£1,020.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Du Tertre, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 50% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc
A deep ruby purple
Really quite a tannic nose, with the fruit a touch closed, although floral notes escape with agitation. There's a hint of mint to the blackcurrant fruit
Really good, cool, creamy fruit. The tannins are rich and integrated and very nicely ripe. Long and dead straight. Just good claret.
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2013-2020 |
12x75cl |
£198.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Giscours, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 65% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc
Really tangy nose here, of smoke and cassis and sweet gingery spice. It hints at dark chocolate, too.
Structured, grippy wine. Cool, with a lovely pure tang of blackcurrant and plum fruit. That fruit is floral and rather delicious. There a pepperiness to the tannins at the end: very spicy. Long and really mineral at the back. This is a notable success.
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2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£264.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lascombes, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 50% Merlot, 47% Cab Sauv and 3% Petit Verdot
An almost herbal, planty smell here and quite a bit of wood.
The entry is cool and nicely pure. The fruit is both red and black. This is richly tannic, but credibly balanced and long and a touch peppery. Good Lascombes.
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£366.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Malescot-St-Exupéry, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 60% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot
Very smoky nose here, floral too, with plummy fruit and a hint of black pepper to the blackcurrant
This is nicely structured from the very front. There's fine intensity behind the fruit and a good amount of supporting tannin. The fruit is beautifully ripe. Fine grip and vim. Busy stuff. A great success.
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2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£270.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 65% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot
There are some freshly sawn wood aromas here that veneer that slightly pruny, plummy nose
In the mouth, this is a touch austere, but utterly credible. Long and very mineral wine. Balanced and fresh, with tangy black cherry and plum fruit. Nice shape and intensity to this backward wine.
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£231.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Kirwan, Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 51% Cab Sauv, 18% Merlot, 16% Cab Franc and 15% Petit Verdot
There are smoke and vanilla notes to the floral black cherry and cassis nose. The wood's quite evident
This is very backward and nutty. A highly structured palate, with pretty, pure cassis flavours. The fruit is scented. Just needs time
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2015-2025 |
12x75cl |
£267.00 |
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Haut-Médoc &
Moulis
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Château Chasse-Spleen, where the wines of
Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Listrac and Moulis were tasted this
year
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Beaumont, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
Notes:
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0-0 |
12x75cl |
£75.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Potensac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Smoky, slihgtly meaty black fruit: plum
A plush entry here, a touch creamy, with pure cassis and plum fruit. Balanced, the tannins are integrated and nicely ripe. There's that smoke again at the finish. Juicy ending with good intensity.
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2012-2020 |
12x75cl |
£144.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 50% Cab Sauv, 42% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot
A slihgtly meaty nose of crunchy red and black fruits. Earthy notes and a hint of jammy damson
A cool and supple, then crunchy palate. i find the tannins really credible here. Lovely controlled shape in the mouth. Long with subtle grip and tasty red and black plum fruit.
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2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£165.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cantemerle, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Notes: Delicious nose of ripe berry fruit, red and black
In the mouth, the tannins don't intrude on the purity and sillky texture of the fruit and the wine's lovely freshness. Length good. Good Cantemerle
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2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£162.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château La Lagune, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
Notes:
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2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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Pessac-Léognan
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The shining path to Smith-Haut-Lafitte
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 50% Cab Sauv, 41% Merlot and 9% Cab Franc
Touch of florality (!) to the pretty, pure plum fruit. There are some dry cocoa aromas (the wood?) and hints of dried fruit.
Supple entry, then this instantly becomes very fresh and pure and a touch peppery from the tannins; tannins thaht are integrated and mouthcoating. Black plum crisp fruit. Concentrated and persistent. Long, with a nice lift of freshness at the back.
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2017-2035 |
6x75cl |
£900.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 51% Cab Sauv, 43% Merlot and 6% Cab Franc
A smoky nose giving off black cherry and plum fruit, with that plum skin tang. Hint of liquorice
The entry is supple and wonderfully pure. There are those black cherries and plums again. The tannins are very chunky, but they are ripe and rather peppery. Nice easy grip here. This is both long and finely compsed. Fine wine, without a doubt.
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2016-2035 |
12x75cl |
£1,320.00 |
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| 2008 |
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 66% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot
Almost opaque
A peppery, rich nose of ripe damson fruit, a touch smoky
Very cool customer! There are very rich, nutty, chunky, integrated tannins. The profile is promisingly parallel. The tannins coat the tongue, along with the fresh, pure, black fruit of casssis and damson. A very fresh and backward wine and a very long one
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2016-2025 |
12x75cl |
£288.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 70% Cab Sauv and 30% Merlot
Really appetising floralk, pure fruit aromas, red and black. There are black pepper notes to the plumminess
A very cool palate and a very well composed one. Medium weight and very, very tannic. The colours of this wine come alive at the finish, which is deeply impressive. Keep it long and drink it with great pleasure!
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2014-2027 |
12x75cl |
£444.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Les Carmes-Haut-Brion., Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 55% Merlot, 25% Cab Franc, 20% Cab Sauv
Fabulous purity of ripe plum fruit, as well as red- and blackcurrants
Real tang and intent to the palate, where one finds a lovely richness of fruit. Rich, yet there's great elegance here. It's the persistence in the mouth that makes one sit up. Fine stuff.
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2015-2022 |
12x75cl |
£267.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Pape-Clément., Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 55% Cab Sauv, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot
Something of a plum liqueur on the nose. A hint of something medicinal - menthol or mint - to the fruit aromas. A cool and nicely put together wine. It's all so well integrated - the big tannin into the beautifully ripe fruit - that it comes across as a highly seamless package. Very long. There's a touch of inkiness to the black plum and cassis. Very tasty.
"One of the top successes of the vintage, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot was harvested between October 8 and 24. The late harvest ensured perfect ripeness as evidenced by the sweet bouquet of black cherries, lead pencil shavings, cassis and subtle barbecue smoke. Well-balanced with good acidity, ripe tannins, medium to full body and a layered mouthfeel, this excellent 2008 can be drunk now and over the next 15+ years." Robert Parker
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£762.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte , Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 60% Cab Sauv, 33% Merlot and 7% Cab Franc
A smoky nose, quite high toned, of apple blossom and black plum and sloe fruit
Very cool, creamy entry. This is nicely concentrated, with well integrated, rich, nutty tannins. Black cherry and cassis and damson fruit. Very fresh and long. Fine purity and clear identity. Smith's going for gold.
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£345.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Carbonnieux Blanc, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon
Lots of minerals and grapefruit on the nose and there are those almost roast chicken skin aromas, plus a herbal leafiness
Compact, with a finely consistent shape in the mouth. Greta drive here to a long, fresh, balanced finish. There's some meaty minerality and excellent tension. WIll keep very well.
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2012-2018 |
12x75cl |
£222.00 |
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| 2008 |
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc., Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon
There's excellent ripeness and concentration to the citrus fruit aromas, majoring on tangerine. Smoky mineral notes and wisps of mineral smoke. Green orange
This is backward and subtle and swells impressively in the mouth. A cool and beautiful palate of melon and herbs; long with powdered stone minerals. It gains in grip to a fabulous finihs. Paralle, with great tension. This stands toe-to-toe with Haut-Brion and Laville in '08.
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2012-2018 |
12x75cl |
£552.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc., Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris
Very pungent nose of gunflint and crisp chicken skin. Crunchy, leafy fruit
A rich, fresh and backward wine. Mineral and leafy, with ripe peary fruit. This is really long and intense. Really powerful at the finish, whihc has a touch of pepper about it. Busy wine and a very good one
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2011-2017 |
6x75cl |
£264.00 |
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Sauternes & Barsac
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The highest point of the Sauternes vineyard and
the château that sits there: Yquem
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Rieussec, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 86% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, rest Muscatelle
Some nutty wood and good botrytis here. The fruit is lemon, with dried flower aromas
Cooly rich and sweet. Pastille-llke pear and lemon fruit. Nutty and persistent. Nicley fresh.
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2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£444.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 90% Semillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle
Cloudy, very unfinished sample here offering a swathe of lovely pure pear fruit. Seems a subtle wine. Certianly offers lovely shape. Shot through with lime aromas and flavours. A complete wine and a lovely one.
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2015-2028 |
12x75cl |
£282.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Guiraud, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc
Lovely aromas of dried and fresh fruit - orange and lemon - along with nuances of camomile
This is fully sweet in the mouth, a cool wave of delicious orange fruit surges over the tongue. More-ish doesn't begin to describe it.
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2015-2030 |
12x75cl |
£321.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Suduiraut, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 90% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc
Lots of botrytis lacing this cool and peary smelling wine. There are some dried flower scents and a lime and pepper note
This is very sweet, the pure pear fruit lime-tinged. Lemons wrap themselves around the palate through to the very long finish. I like this very much.
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2016-2035 |
12x75cl |
£420.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc
A very rich and beautiful nose, stuffed with botrytis. Delighthful lemon and lime meringue pie fruit and those heavenly aromas of lime flowers. Nutty from the rot
This is very rich in the mouth, but with excellent control and just powers forwrad across the tongue. A note of menthol here. Very fine acidity. Very, very long and becoming compact with youth later on. A gorgeous, aromatic and complex Yquem that'll be an out-and-out crowd pleaser.
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2017-2040 |
6x75cl |
£975.00 |
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St Emilion
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Château Canon has been notably successful in
2008
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Teyssier, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 85% Merlot and 15% Cab Franc
Good and pure, slightly smoky, very fresh black fruits of the sort that crunch under one's teeth.
One's tongue meets a beautiful plushness of ripe fruit and supple, supple tannin. Not a wine for the brain, but one to smother the taste buds in unashamedly happy St Emilion fruit. Deeelishus.
“…abundant quantities of sweet black fruits, a natural, lush texture, ripe tannin, and a heady finish…88-90/100.” Robert Parker
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2011-2018 |
12x75cl |
£120.00 |
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| 2008 |
Le Dôme, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: “…it displays an ethereal elegance allied with substantial flavor authority and intensity…95-97/100.” Robert Parker
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2014-2025 |
6x75cl |
£310.00 |
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| 2008 |
Vieux-Château-Mazérat, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: “…it is a dense, rich, opulent, flamboyant effort with a 45-second finish…93-95/100.” Robert Parker
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2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£552.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Laforge, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: “…wonderful density and purity, and a full-bodied mouthfeel…92-94/100.” Robert Parker
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2013-2022 |
12x75cl |
£261.00 |
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| 2008 |
Clos de l'Oratoire, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 95% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc
Great coolness about the fruit on the nose. Blueberries and plums marry with the smoky wood
There's a touch of mocha wood to the palate, then that wealth of cool black fruit. Plush, but with good tannic support. Good intent here. A linear and incisive wine.
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2014-2020 |
12x75cl |
£198.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Troplong Mondot, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 90% Merlot, 5% Cab Sauv and 5% Cab Franc
Thick-looking in the glass
There's a touch of cold tea about the nose to go with the aromas of fruits both fresh and dried, all very black. There are blueberries and brambles and plums
The palate is vastly concentrated in all components: tannin and fruit in abundance. Richly structured and extremely pure, this is something of a baby at the moment. Highly impressive.
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2018-2025 |
12x75cl |
£480.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Teyssier, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 85% Merlot and 15% Cab Franc
Good and pure, slightly smoky, very fresh black fruits of the sort that crunch under one's teeth.
One's tongue meets a beautiful plushness of ripe fruit and supple, supple tannin. Not a wine for the brain, but one to smother the taste buds in unashamedly happy St Emilion fruit. Deeelishus.
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2011-2018 |
12x75cl |
£120.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Angélus, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: A very deep ruby purple
There's fabulous purity of very black plum fruit to the nose here. Damson crunch.
This is very fresh right from the off on the palate. Tannins are rich and well integrated. Very good shape to this. Backward; good and lively. Needs keeping.
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2017-2030 |
12x75cl |
£725.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Berliquet, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 70% Merlot, 25% Cab FRanc and 5% Cab Sauv
The nose is rather closed at the moment, although it does present some very black damson fruit, quite wild, with hints of dried fruit (something that could relate to the sample, not the wine)
Cool and a touch creamy on entry. There's good mineral grip here and a wealth of fine, tacky tannins. Plum and prune concentrated fruit. This is long and consistent right the way through. Nice lift of crunchy grip at the back.
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2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£201.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Canon, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 75% Merlot and 25% Cab Franc
The nose is a touch floral, of very fresh black cherry and plum
Creamy and very natural from the off and full of rich, angular, ripe and integrated tannin. This is fresh and very black, both serious and laid back. And I love it!
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£420.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Figeac, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 40% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc and 30% Cab Sauv
There are notes of cold tea to the black plum and cassis aromas. There is some spice here, too. More black than usual, perhaps.
This is cool, focussed and serious wine. Very rich, tacky and quite burly tannins for the moment. Very crisp black plum and blueberry fruit. Very long, with significant grip. A highly structured and age-worthy wine
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£501.00 |
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| 2008 |
Clos Fourtet, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 87% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc and 10% Cab Sauv
A lovely pure fruit nose of blueberry and peppery plum
Very cool entry, a touch creamy, with blueberry and fresh plum fruit, the whole tangy and beautifully crisp. The tannins are nutty, high and highly credible. This is both very persistent and very mineral. Fabulous finish.
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2016-2030 |
6x75cl |
£156.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Franc-Mayne, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc
Opaque black purple
A delicious ripeness of floral black plum fruit, with cassis wisps
Rich, quite chunky tannins, long and nicely juicy in the mouth. A really consistent palate and the finish is wonderful. Excellent F-M.
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£201.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: There's a touch of creaminess to the crunchy red and black fruit on the nose. I found sloe and plum and a peppery spice
This is rich and structured on the palate, with fine mineral underpinnings. Lovely ripe, juicy fruit. This is very delicious, with fine, integrated, tacky tannins. Long and altogether excellent.
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2014-2025 |
12x75cl |
£384.00 |
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| 2008 |
La Mondotte, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 80% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc
Notes of fresh plum and violet, plus the fresh wood. There are smoky nuances, like bacon cooking. Bramble and plum
This is very fresh and very mineral. Backward and elegant, with deliciously pure crunchy, floral fruit. Citrus fresh. Very long. A baby with a fine future ahead
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2016-2025 |
12x75cl |
£1,002.00 |
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| 2008 |
Le Petit Cheval, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 60% Merlot and 40% Cab Franc
Cassis, floral aromas, with nutty wood, mineral and liquorice notes. Red cherries
Creamy and very cool on entry. This is very mineral wine, with rich, integrated, nutyt tannins. Cool and full of grip, this. Cassis and black cherry and plum fruit. Grippy; squeaky. Very long. Very fresh at the finish.
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2013-2023 |
12x75cl |
£582.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Cheval-Blanc, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 50% Cab Franc, 50% Merlot
A thick, almost opaque bluish pinky ruby
Rather closed, but notes of blueberry, black cherry and Cab Franc spice emerge with afitation
Supple and very cool entry of pure cassis and blueberry fruit. Black cherry, too. Grippy andf very mineral and full of rich tannins. Very, very cool. Linear. Fab finish here. Elegant and really very subtle. Very beautiful wine
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2017-2035 |
6x75cl |
£1,725.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château de Fonbel, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 65% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Carmenere
A very black nose of plums and cherries. A little pepperiness, but this is dark and a coal-hole
This is very cool, but nicely concentrated. Fresh, black plum fruit and fabulously rich and ripe tannins. This is long and finely structured. Juicy-fresh, with blackcurrant and plum fruit at the finish.
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2014-2022 |
12x75cl |
£114.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château Grand-Mayne, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 90% Merlot and 10% Cab Franc
A ripe and fully spicy black fruited nose of damson and plum. I found mocha notes intertwined with blueberry aromas, too
A super-cool palate. Lots of everything in this busy wine: concentrated fruits of the blackest sort, very rich tannins that'll assure it of an excellent future. A real baby at the moment, but all life is here!
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2016-2028 |
12x75cl |
£246.00 |
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Pomerol
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Château Evangile
from Cheval-Blanc
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| Vintage |
Wine |
Drink dates |
Case size |
Price In Bond |
| 2008 |
Château Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 85% Merlot, 12% Cab Sauv and 3% Cab Franc
This is a thick-looking very deep purple
Smoky, creamy, black plum, spicy, slightly liqueur-llike nose
Touch of dried fruit to the palate. This is richly, but finely, and tackily, grippily tannic. Credible, as well as sizeable. A peach!
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2015-2022 |
12x75cl |
£402.00 |
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| 2008 |
Château La Conseillante, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. This is 86% Merlot, 14% Cab Franc
Very deep ruby in the glass, with purple lights
A smoky and rich nose of black damson fruit with fresh black cherries
Cool wine and a medium + weight one. Very fine tannic structure here. Highly persistent right through to the wonderfully intense, juicy finish. Red and black plum and currant. Fresh. Very natural and elegant. Mineral, too. Just a lovely, lovely Pomerol.
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£510.00 |
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| 2008 |
Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
Notes: N.B. 70% Merlot, 20% Cab Franc and 10% Cab Sauv
Beauitul colour in the glass
Lovely pure cassis notes to the nose. Touch floral. Really very pretty and ripe
Very cool. Medium weight and concentrated. A mineral, subtle, elegant wine. Hint of dried fruit, but very beautiful. Rich and fine. Long and juicy at the finish. Lovely.
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2016-2030 |
12x75cl |
£475.00 |
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