After stating yesterday that this week would see a pause in the campaign during the London International Wine Fair, it appears the Majestic crystal ball has malfunctioned: Ducru-Beaucaillou, one of the wines of the vintage for us and most commentators, has been released. With the same Parker marks as Latour we expect this to be [...]
Tag Archives: Bordeaux 2008
Bordeaux 2008: Montrose, Eglise Clinet and Branaire-Ducru
Wednesday 13 May 2009 – 10:46
The flood of releases from Bordeaux appears to be drawing down, and we’re on the home straight now as far as the 2008 campaign is confirmed – although there are still a few big names to come. It’s the London International Wine Fair this week, which may result in a hiatus, but we would hope [...]
Bordeaux 2008: Figeac and Pichon-Baron
Wednesday 6 May 2009 – 10:00
We have a couple of exciting new releases today. Pichon-Baron is a wine that almost everyone we’ve spoken to was impressed by, and at £500 per case we expect this to sell. Over in St-Emilion, Figeac is another wine that stood out in our tastings. One further new release today is Yquem, which is only [...]
Bordeaux 2008: great value releases
Tuesday 28 April 2009 – 11:30
A slight lull has descended over the major Bordeaux châteaux after last week’s excitement, presumably in anticipation of Robert Parker’s marks which are due any day now. This gives us the opportunity to focus on some less exalted but great value releases that are ideal for those looking to spend a little less a case. [...]
Bordeaux 2008: Margaux, Mouton and Haut-Brion
Thursday 23 April 2009 – 13:24
A big day today, with first growths Margaux, Mouton and Haut-Brion available. Quantities are miniscule and the wines are offered on a first-come-first-served basis – be quick! In addition, we have some of Haut-Brion’s stablemates. Le Clarence de Haut-Brion (the second wine of Haut-Brion) is a successfully sleek and polished 2008, whilst La Mission is [...]
Bordeaux 2008: Calon-Ségur and Beychevelle
Tuesday 21 April 2009 – 15:20
More new releases today, the most exciting being an extremely well-priced Calon-Ségur. Always attractive en primeur, the 2008 is an impressive effort (17.5+ points from Jancis Robinson), and at less than £300 a case we expect this to be very popular. Also good value, Beychevelle at £249 offers a soft, elegant style of St-Julien. Also [...]
Bordeaux 2008: Léoville-Poyferré, Gruaud Larose, d’Armailhac
Thursday 16 April 2009 – 12:26
There’s a fair old buzz building about the 2008 campaign as commentators’ scores and reviews continue to express pleasant surprise at the quality of the vintage, and the wines continue to be released quickly and at sensible prices. Following a very well received release of Léoville-Barton yesterday, today we have three other well-priced left-bank properties [...]
Bordeaux 2008: Les Forts and Léoville-Barton
Wednesday 15 April 2009 – 8:23
After yesterday’s exciting release of Latour (which sold out in very short order) this morning we have the second wine of that property, Les Forts de Latour. Nowadays this wine competes as much with second growths as with second wines, although with a much higher proportion of Merlot in the blend this year it is [...]
Bordeaux 2008: Latour released
Tuesday 14 April 2009 – 9:51
In a move clearly designed to kickstart the Bordeaux 2008 en primeur campaign, Château Latour has been released this morning. The great news is the rumours were largely true – the price is extremely reasonable, being considerably less than the current market value of equivalent vintages such as 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006. Château Latour [...]
Bordeaux 2008: first wines available
Monday 6 April 2009 – 16:23
Hot on the heels of last week’s tastings, the 2008 Bordeaux en primeur campaign has immediately sprung into life with the release of four top right-bank wines. This bodes well for a short and active campaign rather than last year’s drawn out affair. As I write, we have not yet finished our full vintage report, [...]
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