En-Primeur 2008
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.

Angelus Les Forts de Latour Malescot St Exupery
Armailhac Giscours Margaux *
Beychevelle Gruaud Larose La Mission Haut Brion
Branaire Ducru Le Gay Montrose
Certan de May Gazin Mouton *
Certan Marzelle Haut Bailly Palmer
Cheval Blanc Haut Brion* Pavie
Clerc Milon Hosanna Pavie Macquin
Clinet Larcis Ducasse Pavillon Rouge de Margaux
Clos Fourtet Lafite * Le Petit Mouton
La Conseillante Langoa Barton Pichon Baron
Cos d'Estournel Latour * Pichon Lalande
Domaine de Chevalier Leoville Barton Pontet Canet
Ducru Beaucaillou Leoville Las Cases Rauzan Segla
Duhart Milon Leoville Poyferre Talbot
L'Eglise Clinet Lynch Bages Troplong Mondot
L'Evangile Magdelaine Vieux Chateau Certan
Figeac Malartic Lagraviere Yquem
La Fleur Petrus    

*Limited Allocation Please Call

St Estephe
Cos d'Estournel (AWL 93-94) (JR 17) (WA 94-96+) (WS 91-94)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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
Beychevelle (AWL 90-91+) (JR 17) (WA 88-90) (WS 83-86) 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)

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)

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.

Gruaud Larose (AWL 90-91) (JR 17) (WA 89-91+) (WS 88-91) 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.”

Langoa Barton (AWL 88-90) (JR 16.5+) (WA 88-90+) (WS 89-92) 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.”

Leoville Barton (AWL 91-93) (JR 16.5) (WA 92-94) (WS 90-93) 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.”

Leoville Las Cases (AWL 94-95) (JR 17) (WA 95-97+) (WS 91-94) 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.”

Leoville Poyferre (AWL 91-93) (JR 16-) (WA 92-94) (WS 90-93) 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.”

Talbot (AWL 88-90) (JR 16) (WA 89-91) (WS 86-89) 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
Giscours (AWL 90-91) (JR 17.5) (WA 88-90) (WS 87-90) 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.”

Malescot St Exupery (AWL 91-93) (JR 17.5) (WA 91-93) (WS 90-93) 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.”

Margaux (AWL 94-95) (JR 17.5+) (WA 95-97) (WS 90-93) 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.”

Palmer (AWL 92-94) (JR 18) (WA 95-97) (WS 89-92) 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.”

Pavillon Rouge de Margaux (AWL 86-88) (WA 90-92) (WS 87-90) 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.”

Rauzan Segla (AWL 92-93+) (JR 16.5) (WA 91-93) (WS 90-93) 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
Domaine de Chevalier (AWL 91-93) (JR 17+) (WA 92-94) (WS 90-93) 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.”

Haut Bailly (AWL 91-93) (WA 95-97) (JR 17) 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.”

Haut Brion (AWL 95-96) (JR 18) (WA 95-97) (WS 93-96) 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.”

Malartic Lagraviere (AWL 90-91) (JR 15) (WA 91-94) (WS 88-91) 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.”

La Mission Haut Brion (AWL 93-95) (JR 18) (WA 94-96+) (WS 91-94) Sold Out

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.”

St Emilion
Angelus (AWL 91-93) (WA 92-94) (WS 89-92) 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.”

Cheval Blanc (AWL 94-96+) (JR 18) (WA 95-97) (WS 92-95) Sold Out

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.”

Clos Fourtet (AWL 91-93) (JR 16.5) (WA 92-94) (WS 88-91) Sold Out

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.”

Figeac (AWL 90-91) (JR 16+) Sold Out

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.”

Larcis Ducasse (AWL 91-93) (JR 15.5) (WA 95-97) (WS 90-93) Sold Out

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.”

Magdelaine (AWL 87-89) (JR 17) (WA 92-94) (WS 88-91) Sold Out

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.”

Pavie (AWL 90-93) (JR 17.5+) (WA 96-98+) (WS 92-95) 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.”

Pavie Macquin (AWL 91-93) (JR 17) (WA 93-95) (WS 90-93) 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.”

Troplong Mondot (AWL 90-92) (JR 16.5) (WA 95-97) (WS 91-94) Sold Out

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.”

Pomerol
Certan de May (AWL 91-93+) (JR 16.5) (WA 91-93) (WS 89-92) 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.”

Certan Marzelle (AWL 89-91) (WS 17) (WA 90-92) (WS 85-88) Sold Out

AWL “Dark ruby. Red berries, sweet herbs flavours with a touch of modern style. Medium-bodied. Good substance and finish.” JRMid 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.”

Clinet (AWL 90-91) (JR 17) (WA 94-97) (WS 89-92) 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.”

La Conseillante (AWL 91-93) (JR 17) (WA 92-94+) (WS 90-93) Sold Out

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.”

L'Eglise Clinet (AWL 95-96+) (JR 17.5)(WA 94-96+) (WS 91-94) Sold Out

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.”

L'Evangile (AWL 90-92) (JR 18) (WA 93-95) (WS 90-93) Sold Out

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.”

La Fleur Petrus (AWL 90-91+) (JR 18) (WA 92-94+) (WS 92-95) 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.”

Le Gay (AWL 90-91) (WA 95-98) Sold Out

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.

Gazin (AWL 90-91) (WA 94-96) (WS 88-91) 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.”

Hosanna (AWL 91-93) (JR 17+) (WA 96-98) (WS 88-91) Sold Out

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.”

Vieux Chateau Certan (AWL 93-94) (JR 17.5) (WA 92-94) (WS 89-92) 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.”

Sauternes
Yquem (AWL 94-96) (JR 18) (WA 95-97) (WS 91-94) 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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