|
Better than expected classic vintage with some top wines trailing just behind 2000 and 2005. |
Wines |
Weather condition: The cool conditions at the beginning of the growing season caused concern at the time but seem to have allowed the ripening process to take place slowly. This particularly applies to July, which started cool but finished sunny and dry, allowing the phenolic components of the grape to synthesise. In this respect there is a strong similarity to the 2000 vintage. Conditions in August and early September were cool and wet, but the vintage was saved by a period of warm dry weather at the end of September. Those who had not rushed to harvest in September were able to wait for a final touch of concentration, with the drying conditions meaning there was little or no risk of rot. The poor weather earlier in the year had the effect of reducing the size and number of bunches of grapes - in the weeks before the harvest the reduced yields proved a blessing, allowing optimum levels of ripeness.
Characteristics: The best of the 2008s have a darkness of colour, a concentration of middle-weight and a strength of ripe tannin, at the same time keeping that fundamental slightly sharper character of all the late-harvest vintages. The density and weight clearly put it high in the ranks of very good vintages, well ahead of both 2007, 2004 and 2002 by virtue of the riper tannins and at least at the same level as 2006 and 2001.
Buying strategy: This vintage sees no change to our usual policy of concentrating only on the top wines. This is a classic vintage with good tannins and very little green character, lovely fruit and good balance. These are well structured wines that will develop well in the long term. With the aggressive pricing we are seeing this year from the chateaux there are some very good buys for claret lovers who are committed to the long term.
Tasting notes: All of the following wines were tasted by us in Bordeaux during the first two weeks of April 2009. Our comments and ratings as well as those of Jancis Robinson (JR), Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (WA), and James Suckling / Wine Spectator (WS) are indicated on the following pages.
Bottling: Prices are for standard
750ml bottles. Wines can be bottled in half bottles,
magnums or other formats for an additional charge.
Please provide special bottling instructions before
31st August 2009.
Storage: There will be storage
charge if we do not receive any shipping instruction
before 30 Nov 2010 in the year follow purchase.
The charge will be HKD $180 per annum per case
or per large format bottle. Cellarage invoices
will be raised on 1 January 2011. If you wish
to collect your wine early, we will refund you
with the remaining full month(s) storage fee on
a pro-rata basis.
Shipping Cost: $180 per case + Insurance (1.5% cost of wine). Please instruct us in advance for special shipping arrangements.
Offer: Please note that the following wines are offered ex-cellars Bordeaux. Minimum order is 1 case of 12 bottles (750ml)for each wine. If you need special bottling, please let us know at the time of order. They will be available for delivery in Spring/Summer 2011. Payment upon receive of invoice.
|
*Limited Allocation Please Call
| St Estephe |
| Cos
d'Estournel (AWL 93-94) (JR 17) (WA 94-96+) (WS 91-94) |
Euro 73 per btl |
| AWL
“85%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
Deep purple colour. Gorgeous nose with bright red/black
fruit, spices and earthy peppers. Very ripe, precise
and concentrated. Minerally in the lengthy finish.”
JR “Mid crimson. Enormous
stylistic leap from Goulée to this which
seems all natural and well balanced on the nose
- refreshing but complete too. Lovely harmony -
really great texture and unforced.” WA
“Precise, fresh aromas of black fruits, crushed
rocks, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. Sweetness
of the tannin and the seemingly low acidity has
given the wine a precision and elegance that is
remarkable. ” WS “Sweet
tobacco, tar, blueberry and coffee aromas. Full-bodied,
with velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Bright
and fruity, with a lovely finish. A crisp, precise
and focused wine, with a lively finish. ”
|
| Montrose
(AWL 90-91) (JR 16) (WA 95-97) (WS 88-91) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“Sweet
tropical fruit nose with licorice. Spicey and minerally
palate. Concentrated. Ripe chewy tannins. Long lasting
wine.” JR “Satin crimson
and deep. Some richness on the nose. Mellifluous
initially and then quite dry and tough. Aggressive
tannins and not much flesh in the middle. Very dry
and almost glorying in its austerity and unfriendliness.”
WA “Sweet, pure aromas of
black fruits and spice. This full-bodied wine exhibits
superb concentration, sweet tannin, and a multilayered,
textured, full-bodied mouthfeel with no hard edges.
” WS “Shows blackberry
and black licorice, with hints of mint. Full-bodied
and fruity, with very fine tannins, good acidity
and a nice intensity of mineral and spices. ”
|
| Pauillac |
| Armailhac
(AWL 87-89) (JR 16.5) (WA 88-90) (WS 86-89) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“Good
spicy fruit with vanilla and grapey notes. Medium-bodied.
Forward. Simple but very pleasant soft wine.”
WA “Fresh cranberry, sweet
cherry, and spicy notes are present in this wine.
It possesses brilliant delineation as well as an
exceptionally pretty style somewhat reminiscent
of the 1996 vintage.” WS
“Blackberry and hints of cedar and dried flowers
on the nose lead to a medium body, with fine tannins,
fresh acidity and a medium finish. Attractive and
friendly.”
|
| Clerc
Milon (AWL 88-90) (JR 16.5) (WA 89-91) (WS 88-91)
|
Sold Out |
| AWL
“Deeper
colour and aromas than d'Armailhac. Slightly more
concentration also. Dark fruit, plummy notes. Round.
Well-balanced. Good grip.” WA
“ Exhibits sweet black currant fruit along
with hints of mocha and underbrush. Its substantial
tannins are neither aggressive nor unripe, and the
wine reveals beautiful purity and seamlessness.”
WS “Rose and currant aromas
follow through to a medium body, with fine tannins
and a clean finish. A more delicate style Clerc.”
|
| Duhart
Milon (AWL 88-90) (JR 17+) (WA 93-95) (WS 87-90) |
Sold
Out |
|
AWL “73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. Deep purple colour. Smoke, earth and ripe fruit aromas. Rich. Elegant. Chewy tannins.” JR “Fine, scented, aromatic and flattering on the nose. Lovely texture. Rather forward and fine tannined. Powdery texture. Very fine and neat - truly baby Lafite.” WS “Displays lots of currant and berries on the nose, with hints of sweet tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied, with tar and berry character, soft, round tannins and a medium finish.”
|
| Les
Forts de Latour (AWL 90-91) (JR 17+) (WA 91-93) (WS
88-91) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“66.5%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 31.5% Merlot. Dark crimson.
Plummy, sweet herbs and minerals nose. Rich and
enveloping texture. With the rather high merlot
content this year, this is a soft approach of Les
Forts.” WA “Sweet aromas
of cassis, licorice, crushed rocks, and forest floor
in an expressive, graceful aromatic display. Freshness,
superb concentration, high but ripe, sweet tannins,
and good acids characterize this dense, concentrated
wine.” WS “Subtle aromas
of currant and raspberry, with a minerally undertone.
Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish.
A little one-dimensional on the palate, but very
good.”
|
| Lafite
(AWL 94-96) (JR 17.5+) (WA 98-100) (WS 91-94) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“83%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.
Black opague colour. Spices, cedar, cassis and minerals
in the classy nose. Focused and quite pure. Full-bodied.
Intensely ripe. Generous palate. Impressive. Chocolatey
finish.” JR “Subtle
purplish crimson. Sumptuous nose-almost Mouton-like.
Richer and riper than some earlier vintages of Lafite
with even a hint of sweetness. Medium tannins and
a dry finish but not the ballerina-like lift that
I associate with Lafite.” WA
“Extraordinary, blockbuster aromatic
profile of lead pencil shavings, forest floor, black
fruits, licorice. In the mouth, a massive richness
is accompanied by a freshness, delineation, nuance,
delicacy, and mind-boggling density. This is a great,
great wine.” WS “
This has a very intriguing nose. Already shows complex
aromas of currant and crushed berries, with hints
of dried flowers. Full-bodied and very chewy, with
intense tannins, but polished and velvety. Long
and pretty. The finish stays with you a long time.”
|
| Latour
(AWL 94-96+) (JR 18.5) (WA 96-98) (WS 91-94) |
Sold
Out |
| AWL
“94%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 0.75% Cabernet Franc
and 0.25% Petit Verdot. Representing 40% of the
total production, this Grand Vin is built in the
very classic way. Deep ruby. Serious nose with dark
berries, minerals, licorice and lead. Firm, weighty
wine with good structure. Brilliant delineation.
Minerally notes. Very ripe tannins in the uplifting
finish.” JR “One
of the most polished Latours but very Latour.”
WA
“Extraordinarily
pure notes of creme de cassis, crushed rocks, and
flowers. Incredibly pure with an amazingly long,
textured, layered finish.”
WS
“Offers
currant and blackberry aromas, with hints of flowers.
Starts as a slow attack on the palate, then builds
with superpolished tannins and pretty fruit, offering
berries and mineral. Long and caressing.”
|
| Lynch
Bages (AWL 91-93) (JR 16.5+) (WA 91-93+) (WS 89-92) |
Sold
Out |
| AWL
“Dark
crimson. Cedar, lead pencil, cassis and spices in
the classic Pauillac nose. Dense. Full-bodied with
good elegance and concentration. Velvety and ripe
tannins. Long finish. One of the better young LBs
I've tasted. Great buy this year.” WA
“Fine
acids, firm but sweet tannins, and thick, dense
levels of attractive blackberry and cassis fruit.”
WS
“Beautiful
aromas of milk chocolate and crushed berries follow
through to a full body, with soft, velvety tannins
and a juicy finish.”
|
| Mouton
(AWL 94-96) (JR 18.5-) (WA 94-96) (WS 91-94) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“83%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot. Dark crimson/purple
colour. Highly perfumed nose with cassis, spices
and cedar. Full-bodied. Rich with such great balance
and freshness. Long finish with chocolatey notes.
Mouton is on a roll!” JR
“Very
neat and firm with some fine polishing of texture
and definite minerality at its core. Dry finish.
Very fresh and neat. Well done.”
WS “Shows
violet and crushed berries, with lots of other floral
and fruit character. Full-bodied, with supersilky
tannins and a long finish. Very, very pretty.”
WA
“Sweet
aromas of creme de cassis, smoke, cedar, and an
unmistakable floral component are found in this
precocious, succulent Mouton.”
WS “Shows
violet and crushed berries, with lots of other floral
and fruit character. Full-bodied, with supersilky
tannins and a long finish. Very, very pretty.”
|
| Le
Petit Mouton (AWL 87-88) (WS 86-89) |
Sold Out |
|
AWL “Bell pepper, stalky nose with red berry fruit. Mid weight. Slightly rough tannins.” WS “Displays pretty rose and berry aromas and flavors in a medium-bodied package, with silky tannins and a fresh finish.”
|
| Pichon
Baron (AWL 90-92) (JR 17+) (WA 92-94) (WS 88-91) |
Euro 48 per btl |
| AWL
“Plums,
violet, vanilla & cedar nose. Minerals. Medium
to full-bodied. Very good. Beautiful. Elegant. Medium-bodied.
Good balance of fruit. Ripe.” JR
“Very
rich and round and flattering. There is ripeness
and real charm here too. Impressive length.”
WA
“Good
minerality along with plenty of floral, creme de
cassis, blackberry, coffee, and white chocolate
notes, this is a full-bodied, dense, promising Pauillac.”
WS “Full
and velvety, with lots of fruit and silky, firm
tannins. Long finish. Very pretty.”WS
“Black
licorice and blackberry aromas, with hints of spices.
Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a
balanced finish. Refined and polished.”
|
| Pichon
Lalande (AWL 91-93) (JR 17.5)(WA 94-96) (WS 89-92)
|
Sold
Out |
| AWL
“71%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. Crème
de cassis, spices and light peppery nose. Fresh
seductive fruit palate plus other ripe, minerally
and spicy notes. Good grip. Elegant.” JR
“Very
vibrant blueish purple. Complete and neat. Low key
but in the same idiom as Latour with 71% Cabernet
Sauvignon. Tight and dry and not at all flashy.
Serious stuff.”
WA
“Terrific
texture and opulence, forward fruit, sweet tannin,
and a lush personality. Copious quantities of sweet
berries, roasted coffee, underbrush, black currant,
and black cherry fruit.”
|
| Pontet
Canet (AWL 93-94) (JR 17+) (WA 96-98+) (WS 90-93) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“65%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
and 1% Petit Verdor. Deep saturated purple/ruby.
Creme de cassis, creamy, spices and vanilla aromas.
Round and full-bodied. Minerally. Great balance.
Ripe tannins and finish. Stylish.” JR
“Expressive
dark fruit and sweet citrus freshness. Deep and
mouthfilling, deep pile tannins, finishing fresh
and satisfying. Plenty of freshness on the finish.”
WA
“An
absolutely amazing effort, it boasts an inky/black/purple
color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of creme
de cassis, graphite, charcoal, and incense, blockbuster
depth, and full-bodied power. The tannins are high,
but they are remarkably velvety as well as well-integrated.
Sensational acidity gives the wine precision and
vibrancy, but the impression is one of massive concentration
and power.”
WS “Very
dark and brilliant in color, showing wonderful pure
fruit, with crushed blackberry, currant and fresh-cut
flowers. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and
a long, crisp, fruity finish. This offers impressive
finesse and length.”
|
| St Julien |
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Medium
ruby. Grapey, sweet fruit and smokey notes in the
nose. Medium weight. Nice overall balance.”
JR
“Quite aromatic. Very neat. Lovely
sweetness on the front and a perfume. Great balance.
Fine tannins. Fresh without being tart. Very well
put together even if not the most extreme 2008.”
WA
“Pretty raspberry and cranberry fruit
as well as hints of darker fruits on the palate.
With soft tannins and good purity.”
|
| Branaire
Ducru (AWL 90-92) (JR 16.5) (WA 91-93+) (WS 88-91) |
Sold Out |
| AWL
“63%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Caberner Franc
and 4% Petit Verdot. Sweet plummy nose with delicate
spices, flowers and minerals. Medium-bodied. Elegant.
Good length and freshness.” JR
“Quite
brutal and vegetal on the nose. Great density and
extreme youth. Just a hint of oak. Thick and pretty
earthbound at the moment with marked acidity.”
WA
“Sweet
black raspberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with
hints of acacia flowers and crushed rocks always
provide Branaire with a distinctive perfume. In
the mouth, there is impressive purity, a powerful
yet elegant style, noticeable but sweet tannin,
and nicely integrated acidity.”
WS
“Currants
and blackberries, with hints of black licorice.
Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins and lots
of pretty fruit. Love the nose. Tight and structured,
but refined.”
|
| Ducru
Beaucaillou (AWL 93-94+) (JR 17) (WA 96-98) (WS 90-93) |
Euro
75 per btl |
| AWL
“85%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot. Fabulous nose with
dark plummy fruit, minerals and ripe herbs. Rich,
dense and layered. Well-structured. Very serious.
Very rich wine. Spicy chewy finish.” JR
“Impressive
density with a pale purple rim. Aromatic and dry
but with a lot of rich, velvety mass in the middle.
Pretty impressive! Marginally flashy but really
makes a splash. Dry finish. Very firm with lots
of dry tannin. Pretty confident and savoury.. Wait!
Ambitious. Very masculine.”
WA
“Gorgeously
sweet bouquet of spring flowers, creme de cassis,
blackberry liqueur, licorice, espresso roast, and
spice. The wine is unctuously textured, but analytically,
it has a good level of total acid and sound pH.”
WS “Fabulous
nose of crushed blackberries, minerals and raspberries,
with hints of licorice. Full, with very fine tannins
and a racy finish. I love the precision of the tannins
and the long finish.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“51%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot
and 6% Cabernet Franc. High Merlot content like
2004. Medium ruby colour. Minerally notes. Ripe
with good structure.” JR
“Attractive drink for the medium
term. Hint of chocolate even. Medium charge of tannins.
Polished silky texture. Very beguiling.” WA
“Notes of pine forest, smoke, herbs, licorice,
black currants, and cedar. High but ripe tannins,
medium to full body, and a strong finish.”
WS
“ Plummy and perfumed, with sweet
spices and currants. Lovely subtle nose. Full- to
medium-bodied, with fine tannins and lovely balance.
Ripe and pretty fruit. Could get even better.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Very
elegant. Sweet minerally palate with nice fruit.
Medium-Bodied. Well-structured. Firm and tannic.”
JR
“Very dry finish but lots of personality.”
WA
“Impressively big, muscular, and
formidably backward, this dense, full-bodied 2008
possesses beautiful fruit, but extremely high tannins
as well as a blockbuster style.” WS
“ Bright blackberry and currant aromas,
with flowers. Cool and fresh on the nose. Full-bodied,
with fine tannins and juicy fruit.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“75%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.
Dark colour. Gorgeous grapey nose. Creamy rich fruit
intermixed with spices. Muscular and dense. Chewy
ripe tannins.” WA “Notes
of forest floor, camphor, red and black fruits,
and a hint of wood. Huge body, massive concentration,
and mouth-searing levels of tannin.”
WS “ Roses, blackberries, currants
and wet earth. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins
and very pretty fruit. Long and juicy. A delicious
wine, very balanced.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Deep
colour. Pungent nose. Full-bodied. Graphite, black
fruit, earthy and oaky flavours on the palate. Meaty
style. Quite a ripe mouthful. Muscular tannins.”
JR “Extremely deep blackish crimson.
Spicy oak on the nose - very intense. Then amazingly
opulent on the nose. Round and dense and dramatic.
Like a cross between mulberries and tarmacadam.
The Cabernets were naturally more than 13% apparently.
Real excitement. Neat though not extraordinarily
long finish. Still very, very youthful.” WA
“Extraordinarily sweet tannin as
well as abundant black cherry and cassis notes intermixed
with a prominent underlying minerality. Despite
the massive density, concentration, and length,
the wine is extremely precise, nuanced, and impeccably
pure.” WS “Wonderful
nose of roses, violets, raspberries and black licorice.
Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and
lots of beautiful wood. Excellent.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Deep
colour. Pungent nose. Full-bodied. Graphite, black
fruit, earthy and oaky flavours on the palate. Meaty
style. Quite a ripe mouthful. Muscular tannins.”
WA “Sweet aromas of creme de cassis,
vanillin, crushed rocks, and flowers. With high
but ripe tannin and a long finish.”
WA “Sweet aromas of creme de cassis,
vanillin, crushed rocks, and flowers. With high
but ripe tannin and a long finish.”
WS “ There's beautiful purity of
fruit in this young wine, with blackberry and raspberry
on the nose and hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied,
with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Turns
fresh and lively, with sweet fruit on the finish.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Medium
ruby. Cherries, earth and minerals nose. Light weight
and elegant with clean sweet red fruit. Good balance.”
WA “Should turn out to be outstanding,
offers plenty of roasted herb, berry fruit, coffee,
and soil characteristics in its rich, layered, stunningly
opulent and fleshy personality.” WS
“ Shows berry jam and dark plum on
the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a
pretty, fruity finish. Needs a little more concentration.”
|
| Margaux |
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Medium
ruby. Pleasant nose. Minerally with a sweet core
of fruit. Ripe tannins. Great value wine.”
JR
“Healthy crimson. Already quite complex,
seductive aromas. Fresh start with real spring in
its step-energetic and lively and very well balanced
yet with real intrigue still to be revealed. Good
wine. Neat finish. Tightly packed. Limpid - wonderful
confidence!”
WA “Forest floor, and earthy notes,
sweet, velvety tannin, and good fresh acids. This
medium to full-bodied effort should prove to be
outstanding with more time.” WS “Blackberry
and milk chocolate aromas follow through to a medium
body, with good fruit, delicate tannins and a fresh
finish.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“87%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.
Leather, new wood and black fruit aromas. Quite
dense and modern style. Good vibrancy and balance.”
JR“Bright
crimson. Rather opulent on the nose - hints of tobacco
- and a little more burly and savoury than usual,
perhaps because of less Merlot flesh. Dry start
with the same backbone as the Pavillon Rouge. Firm,
very fine tannins. No shortage of acidity. Mainly
structure at the moment. Very clean but very youthful.
Great freshness. Purity but I do feel we are tasting
this too young. It should take on a bit more flesh.
Very straight backed. Very fresh. Very embryonic.”
WA
“Leafy tobacco and unsmoked cigar
notes interwoven with black raspberries, black currants,
and spice box. It is a medium to full-bodied, elegant,
pure, long, well-textured wine.” WS
“Delivers gorgeous aromas of blackberry,
raspberry and blueberry. Full-bodied, with superfine
tannins and a beautiful core of pure, sweet fruit.
So refined and pretty. A cold pre-fermentation maceration
yields lots of bright fruit and fine tannins.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“87%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 1.5% Cabernet Franc
and 1.5% Petit Verdot. Dark crimson. Cassis, black
cherries, smokey spices and chocolate aromas. Ripe
and seductive. Spicy notes. Tight-grained. Polished
tannins. A pure and charming wine.”
JR
“Bright crimson. Rather opulent on
the nose – hints of tobacco – and a
little more burly and savoury than usual, perhaps
because of less Merlot flesh. Dry start with the
same backbone as the Pavillon Rouge. Firm, very
fine tannins. No shortage of acidity. Mainly structure
at the moment. Very clean but very youthful. Great
freshness.” WS
“Currant, blackberry and mineral
aromas lead to a solid core of fruit, with fine
tannins and a long, clean finish. Refined and very,
very pretty.” WA “Forest
floor, and earthy notes, sweet, velvety tannin,
and good fresh acids. This medium to full-bodied
effort should prove to be outstanding with more
time.”
|
| Sold Out |
|
AWL “51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. Dark ruby colour. Spices, sweet blackcurrant, smoke and earth notes in the bouquet. Ripe, round and plush. Syrupy. A great pleasurable wine. Minerally finish.” JR “Dark and glowing. Quite grown up and sophisticated. Draws you in on the nose ¡V much more compelling than most 2008s. Sweet start - 51% Merlot! ¡V very unusually high for 2008 and for Palmer. The opposite of Ch Margaux. Actually quite Ornellaia like, very soft and rich. Very seductive and lively. With velvety texture. Neat and energetic.” WS “Shows blackberry and black cherry, with hints of currant. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and a solid core. Long and fruity.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Medium
crimson colour. Peppers, red berries and minerals
notes. Soft palate. Round and silky with a toasty
finish. Nice.” WA “Sensational
density of fruit, velvety tannins, a glorious bouquet
of black fruits, licorice, incense, and subtle barbecue
smoke, a superb, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a fabulous
texture and length.” WS “Currant
and berries on the nose, with hints of vanilla and
coffee. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and lovely
fruit. Refined and pretty, but short.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“62%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot. Nice dark ruby/purple.
Ripe berries, chocolate and minerals notes in the
nose. Medium to full-bodied. Refined and forward.
Nicely balanced and charming Margaux.”
JR“Lightly
fragrant. Not especially intense but well balanced
though pretty forward. Sudden finish. Easy wine
for relatively early consumption. Neat, long finish.
It's all on the end with this wine. Great complex
finish.” WA
“Sweet cassis, black cherry, licorice,
tobacco leaf, and spice box are all present in the
complex aromatics. In the mouth, the wine offers
generosity, roundness, sweetness, and velvety, ripe
tannins.” WS “Offers
flowers, currant, berries and sandalwood on the
nose. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and lots of
fruit and freshness. Firm and racy.”
|
| Pessac Leognan |
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Darkest
colour amongst 2006 and 2007. Sweet peppers, herbs
nose. Concentrated. Round with good structure. Solid
wine and richly textured. A powerful Chevalier.
So ripe.” JR
“Very dark purple indeed. Attractive
savour and life on the nose but a little bit green
on the palate. Round but marked by acidity and less
than opulent tannins but very polished and savoury.”
WA “Notes of graphite, spring flowers,
and blue as well as red fruits in an elegant, full-bodied,
flavourful, layered mouthfeel.” WS
“Very perfumed, with sweet tobacco
and dark fruits. Full-bodied, with silky tannins
and a long, caressing finish. Racy and beautiful.
Very fine.”
|
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“65%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Smoke, earth
and bright red fruit nose. Medium to full-bodied.
Round and smooth spices. Good concentration. Tightly
wounded. Minerally ending.” JR
“Rather pale rim. Interesting savour.
Well balanced. Very harmonious and polished with
lots of ripe fruit and the (considerable) tannins
well hidden. Glossy stuff.”
WA
“Notes of charcoal, graphite, black currants,
sweet cherries, spice box, and subtle earth. Medium
to full-bodied, gorgeous texture, ripe, sweet tannins,
and a layered mouthfeel. The acidity provides freshness,
vibrancy, and delineation to all the component parts
of this very concentrated yet quintessentially elegant
wine. It is a sensational effort.”
|
| Sold
Out |
| AWL
“50%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.
Black purple colour. Wonderful notes of cassis,
vanilla and delicate spices in the nose. Good concentration.
Packed with powerful fruit. So well-balanced and
refined. Impressive wine for the vintage!”
JR
“Really powerful dark purple colour.
Minerals and lightness of touch on the nose. The
most solid red from this stable but a little muted
at this stage. Very firm, even slightly austere
Cabernet tannins and pretty drying on the finish.
Far from opulent. Needs, like La Mission, to put
on a bit of flesh. Medium persistence. Impressive
purity of fruit - the opposite of tarted up.”
WA “Crushed rock, spring flower,
blueberry, and black currant characteristics presented
in a vivid, vibrant, full-bodied style that cuts
an ethereal feel across the palate. There is plenty
of tannin, but it is very ripe.” WS
“A very complex wine, with black
licorice, sweet tobacco, blackberry and earth. Full-bodied
and long, with big, juicy tannins and lots of bright
fruit, mushroom, earth and decadent fruit flavors.
The most powerful wine of the vintage.”
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Opaque
colour. Notes of minerals, violets and flowers.
Such a rich wine. Better than 2000 for this estate.”
WA “Exuberant notes of lead pencil
shavings, smoked herbs, sweet earth, and copious
quantities of black currant and blackberry fruit.
Dense and full-bodied with a richness and texture
that are stunningly opulent, with no hard edges,
there is plenty of tannin, but they are sweet and
unaggressive.” WS “Pretty
aromas of chocolate and blackberry, with hints of
black licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine
tannins and a chewy finish. This has all the potential
to be outstanding.”
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| AWL
“51%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.
Sweet tobacco, smokey red fruit and hint of earthiness
in the bouquet. Dense with a nice middle palate.
Medium to full-bodied. Chewy ripe tannins. Lengthy
finish.” JR
“Dark crimson. Lightly fragrant with
a hint of tea leaves. Now this is elegant! But it's
rather different from old La Missions. Much more
polished and suave. Once this puts on weight it
should come into better balance. At the moment it's
perhaps just a little too light, but is certainly
marvellously pure and has a wonderful line along
the palate.”
WA “Sumptuous aromas of melted asphalt,
graphite, blueberries, and black currant liqueur.
Dense, with high but velvety tannins, top-flight
purity, and a full-bodied, backward, formidably
endowed style.” WS “Bright
and perfumed, with mineral, hot stone, fresh currant
and blackberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with firm,
silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Layered,
chewy and structured. Solid for the vintage.”
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| St Emilion |
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Deep
purple colour. Very concentrated and modern style.
Inky wine with black fruit and spices. Good effort.”
WA “Sweet bouquet of blueberries,
blackberries, camphor, forest floor, and a hint
of spring flowers. Great intensity, sweet tannin,
a nuanced, lively personality, full body, and a
promising style.” WS “
tobacco, berry and orange peel character. Full-bodied,
with silky tannins and a clean finish. Refined and
balanced.”
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| AWL
“An
equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Ruby/violet
colour. Black fruit and spices in this concentrated
and heady nose. Generous flavours of minerals, chocolate
and ripe berries. Well-defined. Great balance. A
hypothetical blend of 1998 and 2001. One of our
top picks of the vintage!” JR “Exceptionally
dark crimson. Very polished. Fragrant and fresh.
Very fine and sculpted and well mannered even if
without perhaps quite the spark of life that one
would ideally hope for. Very cool and fresh. Lots
of very ripe tannin. Clearly lots of Cabernet Franc.
Succulent and supple.”
WA “Ethereal nose of subtle menthol
intertwined with spring flowers, plums, black currants,
and sweet cherries. The wine's seamlessness is enthralling,
and, despite the late harvest as well as late malolactics,
it is already displaying admirable complexity. A
tour de force!” WS “Offers
blackberry and flowers on the nose, with hints of
prune and spices. Full and chewy, with vanilla and
rose petal. This is muscular and angular now, but
the finish lasts a long time.”
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| AWL
“85%
Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Run by our good friend Mattieu Cuvelier and made
by Stephane Derenoncourt, this is a forward style
wine with bright fruit and sweet spices. Lovely
concentration.” WA “It
exhibits an inky/purple color along with notes of
pen ink, blackberry liqueur, and espresso roast,
sensationally concentrated layers of pure black
fruits, a full-bodied, powerful style, crisp acids,
dense fruit, and ripe tannins. This brilliant 2008
may merit an even higher score after additional
time in wood.”
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| AWL
“40%
Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Medium dark crimson. Grapey and sweet red fruit
aromas. Note of minerals, spices and earth in the
mouth. Very good substance. Backward.”
JR “Blueish purple. Vivid colour.
Spicy, rather overripe notes. Sweet start and then
a bit of green. Not really very comfortable. Awkward
and rhubarby on the finish.”
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| AWL
“Dark
colour. Ripe black fruit, spices and vanilla notes.
Generous and forward style.” WA “Sweet,
almost intoxicating perfume of blue, red, and black
fruits intermixed with notions of spring flowers,
forest floor, and damp earth. Full-bodied and opulent
with an outrageously pure, textured mouthfeel, and
sweet tannin, this is a tour de force as well as
one of the most compelling wines of the vintage.”
WS “Intense black licorice
and black fruits, almost black currant. Very aromatic.
Full-bodied yet refined, with ultraripe and fine
tannins and sweet, pretty fruit. Long.”
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| AWL
“Sweet
herbs and red berry fruit notes. Elegant. Clean.
Well-balanced.” JR “Mid
crimson. Not much nose. Very luscious lively fruit
- real power and vigour. Pretty inky tannins at
the moment but that gorgeous fruit should well outlive
them. There is masses of fluid juice here floating
on top of the tannins. Should all resolve itself
eventually.” WA “Gorgeous
aromas of kirsch liqueur, licorice, spring flowers,
and crushed rocks. It is a concentrated, dense St.-Emilion
with sweet tannins and seemingly low acidity.”
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“70%
Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Less new oak this year. Black colour with sweet
hoi sin sauce and vanilla aromas. Roasted fruit
and spices in that extracted style. There is more
freshness in this vintage than previous years.”
WA “Creme de cassis, black cherry,
licorice, and smoky barbecue characteristics combine
with a liqueur of minerality that resonates from
this terroir.” WS “This
is very Porty, with lots of fruit and richness.
Big and powerful. A blockbuster style.”
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Black
fruit, plus tropical tone, very sweet spices. Intense.
Chewy.” JR “Bright
healthy crimson. Rich, juicy, succulent fruit. Really
appetising. Lots of ripe fruit plus lots of acid
and ripe tannin. Truly a youthful, but promising,
package. Well done! Maybe just a tad too tart? Or
maybe this will keep it going splendidly for the
long life it deserves.”
WA “Stunning notes of graphite, black
fruits, underbrush, chocolate, and roasted coffee
beans. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, the high
but sweet tannins, combined with the freshness of
the acids make for a remarkably youthful, nuanced
wine.” WS “Flowers
such as violets galore on the nose. Ripe fruit too.
Full-bodied, with bright fruit and citrusy acidity.
Long and racy. Really bright and wonderful.”
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| AWL
“90%
Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Modern. Deep purple colour. Chocolatey, spicey notes.
Quite dry in the finish. A muscular and concentrated
wine.” JR “Blackish,
purple. Hint of farmyard on the nose. Plummy sweet
- very chocolatey and Rollandian.”
WA “Aromas of smoke, blueberry and
blackberry liqueur, roasted coffee, and spice box.
Boasting fabulous fruit and purity, a multilayered
texture, full body, and prominent, but sweet, well-integrated
tannin, this is a tour de force in winemaking.”
WS “This is very serious and impressive
for the vintage, offering silky tannins and cool,
racy fruit, with nutmeg, blackberry and light vanilla
character.”
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| Pomerol |
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Now
consulted by Michel Rolland. Medium dark ruby. Plummy
nose with good freshness. Spicy. Ripe tannins. Excellent
wine.” WA
“Notes of cedarwood, roasted herbs,
graphite, underbrush, and copious amounts of creme
de cassis and sweet black cherries. Muscular and
full-bodied with sensationally ripe tannins as well
as purity.” WS “Almost
exotic on the nose, with apricot, orange and blackberry.
Medium- to full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a
medium finish. Firm and well-made.”
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Dark
ruby. Red berries, sweet herbs flavours with a touch
of modern style. Medium-bodied. Good substance and
finish.” JR“
Mid
density of crimson. Great savour and meat. Lovely
harmony! Really elegant and polished with great
lift off and remarkably fresh and fragrant fro an
all-Merlot wine. Classic Pomerol with a light touch.
Well done.” WA “Intense,
pleasing, sweet raspberry, black cherry, and berry
fruit notes, terrific purity, moderate to light
tannin, and a fleshy, flamboyant personality.”
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| Sold Out |
WA
“This is the greatest Clinet since the incredible
duo made by the late Jean-Michel Arcaute in 1989
and 1990. The dense purple-colored 2008 offers up
beautiful floral, blackberry, and pen ink-like notes,
exceptional intensity, that multilayered texture
that seems to be commonplace in the top 2008 Pomerols,
silky but elevated tannins, good freshness, precision,
and nuance, a substantial size, and an extremely
long finish with not a hard edge to be found.”
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| AWL
“86%
Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc. Fruity bouquet. Stoney,
minerally, ripe herbs flavours. Medium-bodied. Well-balanced
weight. Long-lasting, firm finish. Elegant.”
JR
“Zesty
nose. Fresh, fine nose. Subtle and juicy and really
rather glorious. That’s my only criticism.
Easy to like. Very sweet and engaging with good
dynamism but just a hint of sawdust. Lots of oak!”
WA “Dense ruby/purple color as well
as plenty of concentration, sweet, but elevated
tannins, and a huge finish.” WS “Blackberries
and other black fruits on the nose. Full and compacted,
with lots of ripe and silky tannins. Long and structured.
Very pretty wine.”
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| AWL
“Opaque
purple, almost black. Complex aromas of violets,
spices, cherries and blackberries. Packed with ripe
fruit and layers of it. Full-bodied and energetic.
Not far from 2005.” JR“
Mid crimson. Scented and rich on the nose. Very
broad and mouthfilling – quite complex. Much
more than just sweet. An interesting wine –
quite different from most Pomerols. Lots of lift
and attack – not at all playing the sweetness
card. Very appetising. Intriguing – even quite
intellectual. Explosive with a savoury finish. Smooth
and sleek and complete. Good wine!” WA
“An exceptionally pure bouquet of
creme de cassis, black raspberry liqueur, charcoal,
and a hint of black truffles. Dense and pure with
massive concentration yet undeniable elegance and
precision.” WS “Offers
concentrated aromas of cassis and black licorice.
Full-bodied, with silky tannins and lots of fruit
and mineral undertones. A very pretty, polished
wine. So beautiful already.”
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| AWL
“88%
Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Very elegant and
forward. Pure red berries and toasted oak notes
on the nose. Minerally. Notes of coffee and chocolate
in the ending. Soft round tannins.”
JR“
Very heady and seductive. Rich and round and very
flattering. Even a little tarry. Pretty chewy on
the finish. Rather dry on the finish. Super opulent.
Tar macadam dry finish. Fat and fleshy.” WA
“Floral nose of sweet mulberries,
black currants, and black cherries, a full-bodied,
lush texture, silky tannins, and an exceptionally
fine finish.” WS “
Exotic aromas of blackberries and roses. Orange
peel and perfumes. Milk chocolate as well. Full-bodied,
with a lovely texture of round tannins and a long,
long finish. A beauty. Easily outstanding.”
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Dark
crimson. Round and muscular with plenty of lush,
ripe fruit. Refined. Tannic and with spicy finish.”
JR“
Mid as opposed to deep crimson. Very rich, then
peppery on the nose. Limpid sweetness with powerful
liquorice and real appeal. Very visceral in its
appeal. Great richness. This one lets itself go
- not a stitch of corsetry in sight. Very seductive.”
WA
“Bouquet of creme de cassis, kirsch,
vanilla, and forest floor. The wine reveals remarkably
sweet, ripe tannins, a full-bodied, layered, multidimensional
mouthfeel, and a long finish.” WS
“Shows fresh strawberry and cherry
aromas, with hints of fresh herbs. Full-bodied,
with a solid core of ripe tannins and a long, caressing
finish. Very balanced and pretty.”
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| Sold Out
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| AWL
“Deep
opaque colour. Plenty of black fruit, charcoal and
oak aromas. Full-bodied. Inky, rich wine. Big tannic
finish.” WA “Is this
the greatest Le Gay since the 1950 and 1947? Maybe
... The result is a black/purple-colored wine revealing
a bouquet of graphite, incense, ink, and stunningly
pure, rich dark red and black fruits. Massive in
the mouth, with surprisingly good acidity, a boatload
of sweet, supple tannin, a multilayered mouthfeel,
and a finish that lasts nearly a minute.
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“A
rather rich Gazin with dark fruit and delicate spices
on the nose. Intensely sweet fruit in this medium-bodied
wine. Chewy ripe tannins. Grippy. Fine effort.”
WA “Beautifully sweet perfume of
caramels, mocha, jammy black currants, and smoky
blackberries, a full-bodied mouthfeel, a layered,
skyscraper-like texture, and sweet but elevated
tannins.” WS “ Blackberry
on the nose, with hints of dried fruit and mineral.
Medium to full-bodied, with very fine tannins. Tight
and polished.”
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| AWL
“Good
concentration here. Creamy cherries, sweet spices
flavours with syrupy texture. Gorgeous wine.”
JR
“Dark and fleshy. Angular and powerful.
Full of muscle. Pretty taut ¡V definitely
in training for some important sporting event.”
WA
“Unctuously-textured with a dense
purple color, excellent richness, and dense black
fruits intermixed with forest floor notes, this
sensational wine will merit close to a three digit
score when released. The tannins are high, but very
ripe and melted, and the wine’s purity is
awesome.” WS “Shows
blackberry tart on the nose, with hints of vanilla
and spice. Full-bodied and slightly chewy.”
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| Sold Out |
| AWL
“70%
Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Very ripe nose with earthy bright cherries. Gorgeous
and velvety wine. Spicy palate. Full-bodied. Lots
of flesh and freshness.” JR
“Bright crimson. Fresh, meaty, savoury
nose. Much less obviously sweet than Le Pin from
the same family – though there is a certain
freshness and bloodiness. Reminds me a little of
Haut-Brion in its fresh frank expression. Very firm.
Very precise – no flatterer. Quite cool. Good
attack.” WA
“Still going through * malolactics
when I tasted it. Beautiful sweet, pure blue and
red fruits, and notes of camphor as well as incense.
The wine’s striking freshness, length, and
overall potential are promising.”
WS “The texture is classic, with
plum, fresh mushroom and berry aromas and flavors.
Full and round, with lovely length. There is plenty
of acidity, but it's balanced and pretty. Very long
and fresh.”
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| Sauternes |
| Sold Out |
| AWL
“Darkest
colour amongst 2006 and 2007. Sweet peppers, herbs
nose. Concentrated. Round with good structure. Solid
wine and richly textured. A powerful Chevalier.
So ripe.” JR
“Very dark purple indeed. Attractive
savour and life on the nose but a little bit green
on the palate. Round but marked by acidity and less
than opulent tannins but very polished and savoury.”
WA “Notes of graphite, spring flowers,
and blue as well as red fruits in an elegant, full-bodied,
flavourful, layered mouthfeel.” WS
“Very perfumed, with sweet tobacco
and dark fruits. Full-bodied, with silky tannins
and a long, caressing finish. Racy and beautiful.
Very fine.”
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