Saturday, September 5, 2009

Grand Cru 2008

For the first time I had opportunity to taste a new vintage, a Grand Cru wines from Bordeaux 2008 vintage.

Tasting unbottled barrel samples, once was a domain of hard-core enthusiasts. These days, barrel samples tasting are one of the most popular events.


At the Château Labégorce table


Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2008 has been a pleasant surprise


Absolute star of the day Château Coutet 2008 and 1998. The 2008 is so fragile at the moment that it must be protected from the light... But both vintages are so lovely...

What about rest of the Bordeaux 2008? Well some guys call this ordinary vintage and some are comparing to 2005 vintage... meaning; this is a controversial vintage, or it seem like...

Personally, I don't have opinion. For that mater, I don't have experience to access young wines, still in barrel, perhaps not even finished their malolactic fermentation and one year before final product.

Some of these wines were quite tannic and... well unpleasant. In any case, I had interesting... and educational experience, if you like. I had also a nice talk with Véronique Sanders from Château Haut Bailly :-) You can read about her 2005 vintage here.

What I have tested:

Haut-Médoc
Château Camensac 2008 2001
Château Cantemerle 2008 2007

Margaux
Château du Tertre 2008 2006
Château Giscours 2008 2006
Château Labégorce 2008 2001
Château Labegorce Zédé 2008
Château Marquis d’Alesme 2008 2006

Saint-Julien
Château Lagrange 2008 2004
Château Beychevelle 2008 2006 2002
Château Branaire-Ducru 2008 2004
Château Léoville Poyferré 2008 2004

Pauillac
Château Armailhac 2008 2003
Château Clerc Milon 2008 2001
Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2008 2006
Château Pontet Canet 2008 2004

Saint-Estèphe
Château Phélan Ségur 2008 2004

Pomerol
Château La Clémence 2008 2004 1999
Château Gazin 2008

Saint-Emilion
Château Angélus 2008 2006
Château Canon La Gaffelière 2008 2007
Clos de l’Oratoire 2008 2007
Clos Fourtet 2008 2006
Château Destieux 2008 2004 1998

Pessac-Léognan
Château Haut Bailly 2008 2007
Château Carmes Haut Brion 2008 2007
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rg. 2008 2007
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Bl. 2008 2007
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2008 2002
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2008

Sauternes
Château Coutet 2008 1998

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