"One of the finest examples of this cuvee I have tasted. Well-integrated wood smoke intermixed with notes of creme de cassis, earth, and forest floor are found in this opulent, deliciously fruity, round, and sensual effort. It should drink beautifully for 10-15 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 89-90 pts.
"Blackberry and cherry on the nose, with hints of smoke. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a silky finish. Slightly hollow midpalate."
Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$42.00/750ML btl
$504.00/case of 12
"This beautiful, luscious, sensual St.-Emilion exhibits a deep purple color as well as a sumptuous nose of ink, graphite, blackberries, and cassis. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, admirable concentration, and a long, velvety finish, this superb, fairly priced 2008 is worth checking out. It should drink well for 12-15 years."
The Wine Advocate, 91-93 pts.
"Shows blackberry and blueberry aromas, with cassis. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and refined tannins. Long and classy."
Wine Spectator, 90-93 pts.
$29.50/750ML btl
$354.00/case of 12
"Reveals sweet notes of cedar, black currants, cherries, smoked herbs, and coffee. Enjoy this round, fleshy, sexy Medoc during its first 7-8 years of life."
The Wine Advocate, 87-88 pts.
"Fresh and fruity, with plum and blackberry character. Medium-bodied, with a good core of fruit and a silky finish. One-dimensional, but good quality."
Wine Spectator, 86-89 pts.
$15.75/750ML btl
$189.00/case of 12
"This is one of the most complex wines of the appellation, exhibiting notes of underbrush, sweet currants, cherries, and subtle touches of roasted herbs, incense, and spice box. It does not possess the power or depth of the 2005, and may not even eclipse the 2006, but it is a beautiful, pure, mid-weight, well-balanced, impeccably pure Margaux that should drink well for 15+ years."
The Wine Advocate, 90-93 pts.
"Delicate for the vintage, with plum and fresh basil character. Medium-bodied, with refined tannins and crisp acidity."
Wine Spectator, 86-89 pts.
$38.25/750ML btl
$459.00/case of 12
"New owners have done a wonderful job at Cantemerle, and while the 2008 may not be quite as terrific as the 2005, it is an elegant, floral, raspberry and black cherry-scented effort displaying sweet tannins, medium body, and admirable purity. If it fleshes out in the bottle, it will merit the higher score."
The Wine Advocate, 89-91 pts.
"Currant bush and berries on the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins, bright acidity and a clean, fruity finish." -Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$25.75/750ML btl
$309.00/case of 12
"For producing the finest Cantenac-Brown I have ever tasted, kudos go to the new administration and proprietor. This property has always produced a rustic, austere wine with too much tannin and muscle for its delicate Margaux personality. However, in 2008 the tannin has been tamed, and it is now sweet, ripe, and well-integrated. The wine exhibits a dense purple color in addition to a ripe bouquet of black fruits, licorice, smoke, and underbrush. It is a medium-bodied, classic Margaux that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age, and should keep for 20-25 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
"Aromas of mineral, blackberry and licorice. Full- to medium-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and fine tannins."
Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$37.00/750ML btl
$444.00/case of 12
"Always a quintessentially elegant-styled offering, the dense ruby/purple-colored 2008 Carbonnieux reveals outstanding purity in its deep kirsch, black currant, underbrush, and herb notes. This is not a blockbuster, but it exhibits more density than most examples over recent years. Beautiful sweet tannins, luscious red and black fruits, medium body, and a long finish suggest this 2008 should be at its peak between 2013-2022."
The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
$29.25/750ML btl
$351.00/case of 12
The Wine Advocate, 85-87 pts.
"Bright and fresh, with floral and blueberry flavors galore. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a crisp, clean finish."
Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$25.00/750ML btl
$300.00/case of 12
Limit 6 Bottles per customer.
"In time, the profound 2008 Cheval Blanc will rank alongside this estate's great successes of 2005, 2000, and 1998....the dense ruby/purple-tinged 2008 reveals an 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. This is a beautifully complete, full-bodied Cheval Blanc that dances across the palate with the finesse of a world-class ballerina. Analytically, there is plenty of tannin, but it is totally integrated. While the acids are slightly elevated, they are not noticeable. A tour de force!" Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 95-97 pts.
"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."
Wine Spectator, 92-95 pts.
$500.00/750ML btl
$3,000.00/case of 6
2008 - Chateau Cos d'Estournel
"The inky/purple-hued 2008 Cos is still very young, and probably will improve even further as the wine came out of malolactic fermentation very late. It reveals exceptionally precise, fresh aromas of black fruits, crushed rocks, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. Dense and high in tannin, the extraordinary richness of polyphenols has given the wine power, substance, and depth, but the sweetness of the tannin and the seemingly low acidity, even though the wine tastes remarkably fresh and the pH is only 3.57 (compared to pH’s close to 4 when the fruit is this ripe), has given the wine a precision and elegance that is remarkable. And don’t forget, this is probably the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever used in a Cos d’Estournel blend. This wine should gain weight, richness, and a few Parker points by the time it is bottled." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 94-96 pts.
"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. 85 percent Cabernet, slightly more than usual."
Wine Spectator, 91-94 pts.
$109.00/750ML btl
$1,308.00/case of 12