5 | Wine | Saint Emilion, Unrated

"The nose is intense and floral with hints of red fruit and oak not yet completely absorbed. The mouth is flavorful with immediate tannins that envelop and saturate the taste buds. This long, persistent wine has returning sensations of fruit and a note of fresh acidity that guarantees its longevity."

"Sweet and sour cherries, red currants, loamy soil notes and roasted herbs. ...make an appearance in this round, surprisingly elegant and pretty wine, which displays good freshness, a nice equilibrium and a medium-bodied mouthfeel." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A remarkable success in this vintage, Pavie’s 92 acre vineyard situated on the limestone soils of the spectacular south-facing Cote Pavie (one of the greatest terroirs of Bordeaux) was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an atypical (for a 2008) alcohol level of 14.5% that is higher than in its 2010 counterpart, the opaque purple-colored 2008 exhibits sweet, smoky barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, black cherry, toast and crushed chalk. Deep, intense and full-bodied with surprisingly civilized tannins for such a young Pavie, it reveals wonderful breadth of flavor, a savory texture and a layered mouthfeel." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A sleeper of the vintage. ...this impressive, full-bodied, surprisingly concentrated 2008 offers an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a glorious perfume of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberry liqueur and cassis. Full-bodied and impressively broad and savory with silky tannins, it is an unqualified success in the vintage." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"This is a sleeper of the vintage. This sexy, beautiful wine has the same potency as the 2010, which is surprising given the difference in alcohol strengths in these two vintages. Soft, round and opulent, this sexy 2008 reveals lots of white chocolate, espresso roast, Christmas fruitcake, black currant and cherry characteristics in its flamboyant bouquet. Round, medium to full-bodied and lush, it can be enjoyed now and over the next decade."

"The 2008 La Confession is a sleeper of the vintage. Super successful, this spicy wine exhibits some toasty oak and loads of licorice, espresso roast, blackberry and cassis. A blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Franc, it hit 13.8% natural alcohol. The purity, the texture, and the multi-layered mouthfeel all are impressive and make this wine very drinkable now but capable of lasting for at least another 12-15 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2008 Cheval Blanc (55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc) is a winner from this underrated, classic vintage. Notes of forest floor, Asian plum sauce, black currants, sweet cherries and spice are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with deep fruit, admirable purity, and a long, textured finish. There is not a hard edge to this wine, and in all likelihood, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades." Reviewed by Robert Parker.