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With the campaign nearing its end, we are delighted to finally see some long awaited 2008 releases. Cos d’Estournel has been one of the most discussed wines during the campaign. Not only did they produce an incredibly refined wine that Jean-Guillaume Prats deems the greatest he’s ever made after the spectacular 2005 and 2003, but it was the first made in their multi-million pound James Bond-like cellar.
Pontet Canet has been a consistently strong performer for quite a few vintages now. Always trying to find ways of improving the quality, over the past few years they have invested heavily in the domaine – restructuring the vinification cellar, establishing biodynamic techniques (including horse-tilled vineyards) and hiring Michel Rolland as consulting oenologist. Parker gave Alfred’s 2008 an incredible 96-98+ points, describing it as ‘a candidate for the wine of vintage’ and ‘a tour de force in viticultural precision and winemaking savoir faire.’ Due to its incredible demand, 2007 buyers will get first refusal, but please enquire if interested.
Other new releases include d’Issan, who made a delicious 2008 that is opulent, velvety yet with notable precision and class – truly delicious; Pavie Macquin, a noteworthy wine that seems a steal at £360 in terms of its sheer quality; and the Pomerol duo, La Petite Eglise and its big brother, l’Eglise Clinet whose 2008 has incredible power, depth and length.
New Releases:
Ch Cos d’Estournel, St. Estèphe
£775.00 per 12 IB
A slightly reticent nose leads to a sculpted palate that has pronounced intensity and concentration. Its impressive finish lingers on ripe red cherry, dark chocolate and mineral notes. It was produced from an atypically high amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) which contributes to its notable precision and finesse.
JR:18 WS:91-94 RP:94-96+ MJ:18 GD:91-93
Drinking: 2014 – 2035+
Ch Pontet Canet, Pauillac
£550.00 per 12 IB (Allocation Only)
Very rich and velvety, this 2008 has a gently perfumed nose of blackberry, cherry, chocolate and hints of black pepper which opens up expansively on the palate revealing mouthfilling and ripe tannins. Underlying freshness surfaces on the finish, adding an attractive salty tang. Very appealing.
JR:17+ WS:90-93 RP:96-98+ MJ:18.5 GD:90-92
Drinking: 2014 – 2035+
Ch d’Issan, Margaux
£260.00 per 12 IB
One of the most consistently well-made wines of the appellation, the 2006 reveals a rich, deep ruby colour that leads to a super velvety palate of opulent bramble fruit, exceptionally ripe, fine tannins. Emmanuelle Cruse feels that his 2008 is better than his 2004 and 2002 and feels that it is more along the lines of his impressive 2006. Truly delicious.
JR:17 WS:87-90 RP:91-93 MJ:17 GD:90-92
Drinking: 2013 – 2028+
Ch Pavie Macquin, St. Emilion
£330.00 per 12 IB
Nicolas Thienpont, the cousin of Jacques (Le Pin) and Alexandre (Vieux Château Certan), has been making tremendous strides with this domaine well over the past decade. His 2008 is no exception. Plump and ripe with attractive notes of blueberry compote, wild cherries and dark chocolate, this powerful wine leads to a complex, layered palate and lingering finish.
JR:17 WS:90-93 RP:93-95 MJ:17.5 GD:90-93
Drinking: 2014 – 2030+
La Petite Eglise, Pomerol
£170.00 per 12 IB
Though many people think this is l’Eglise Clinet’s second wine, Dénis Durantou actually makes it with entirely different parcels. It captures its more prestigious sibling’s character offering a poised yet sturdy palate, a sweet plump core and a salty tang finish.
JR:16 MJ:17.5 GD:88-91
Drinking: 2012 – 2026+
Ch l’Eglise Clinet, Pomerol
£425.00 per 6 IB
Dense, chewy and powerful, this is one of the most full-throttle Pomerols from 2008 (watch out Pétrus). Its backward palate offers a cornucopia of ripe black cherry, cassis, wild bramble fruit and underlying minerality that adds further precision and purity. This will require a bit of cellaring to coax its ripe fruit core to the surface.
JR:17.5 WS:91-94 RP:94-96+ MJ:18 GD:91-94
Drinking: 2014 – 2035+