"The 2008 may be the finest effort I have tasted from Franc Mayne. Aromas of blackberries, cassis, licorice, and hints of menthol and smoke emerge from this purple-colored wine. In keeping with the style of the vintage, especially on the right bank, this dense, medium to full-bodied St.-Emilion reveals exceptional purity, texture, and length. It should drink well for 15+ years."
The Wine Advocate, 89-91 pts.
"Displays blackberry and crushed raspberry, with hints of tar. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish." -Wine Spectator, 87-90.
$28.00/750ML btl
$336.00/case of 12
"This estate has been fashioning terrific wines over recent vintages, and the 2008 is an opulent, dense purple-hued effort displaying sweet creme de cassis fruit intermixed with hints of tapenade, licorice, and roasted herbs. It exhibits fabulously pure fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a flamboyant, almost exotic richness. Very ripe, pure, and long, this will be a wine to drink young, but given past examples, it should be capable of lasting 15-20 years. It is a fabulous sleeper of the vintage."
The Wine Advocate, 90-93 pts.
"Grapey and fruity, with blackberry and licorice. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a fresh finish. A little more fruit concentration would push it up."
-Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$27.00/750ML btl
$324.00/case of 12
"A true blockbuster from St.-Emilion, and unquestionably Grand-Mayne’s finest effort since their 2005 and 1998, the 2008 boasts an inky/purple color as well as a lovely bouquet of blueberry liqueur, roasted coffee, and a touch of sweet, smoky oak. Full-bodied with exceptional density, super-ripe tannins, an impressive texture, and a 35+ second finish, this cuvee should be drinkable at an early age (2-4 years), and last for 15 or more." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 92-94 pts.
"Blackberry and hints of vanilla on the nose follow through to a medium-to-full body, with fine tannins and a caressing finish."
Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$33.25/750ML btl
$399.00/case of 12
2008 - Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse
"This suave, lush, opulently-styled 2008 exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue, medium body, and attractively forward, sweet notes of creme de cassis, licorice, and earth. Like many of its peers, the purity of fruit and ripeness of the tannins are admirable. Consume it over the next 10-15 years."
The Wine Advocate, 88-90 pts.
"Crushed berries galore on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a medium finish." -Wine Spectator, 86-89 pts.
$28.25/750ML btl
$339.00/case of 12
Limit 6 Bottles per customer.
"A dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of charcoal, graphite, black currants, sweet cherries, spice box, and subtle earth. The wine possesses super purity, a medium to full-bodied, gorgeous texture, ripe, sweet tannins, and a layered mouthfeel. The acidity provides freshness, vibrancy, and delineation to all the component parts of this very concentrated yet quintessentially elegant wine. It is a sensational effort that should begin showing secondary nuances of complexity in 8-10 years, and evolve for three decades or more."
The Wine Advocate, 95-97 pts.
$60.00/750ML btl
$720.00/case of 12
"The earthy, smoky notes intermixed with notions of black fruits and road tar found in this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot are classic Graves traits. Sweet, dense fruit, with tremendous opulence, a layered mouthfeel, and excellent purity, freshness, and ripe tannins are displayed in abundance in this beautifully made offering from proprietor Helene Garcin. It should age effortlessly for 20 years."
The Wine Advocate, 92-94+ pts.
$23.75/750ML btl
$285.00/case of 12
Limit 6 Bottles per customer.
"A classic, elegant, but substantial Haut-Brion with a dense ruby/purple color as well as crushed rock, spring flower, blueberry, and black currant characteristics presented in a vivid, vibrant, full-bodied style that cuts an ethereal feel across the palate. Haut-Brion is somewhat akin to Cheval Blanc in that it can be seemingly light on the palate, but very intense in flavor. That is the case with the 2008. There is plenty of tannin, but it is very ripe. This impressive, deep wine requires patience, and a ten year wait is mandatory. This formidable Haut-Brion should have a 40-50 year lifeline." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 95-97 pts.
"A very complex wine, with black licorice, sweet tobacco, blackberry and earth. Full-bodied and long, with big, juicy tannins and lots of bright fruit, mushroom, earth and decadent fruit flavors. The most powerful wine of the vintage."
Wine Spectator, 93-96 pts.
"A sensational effort from Lalande de Pomerol, this superbly concentrated sleeper of the vintage boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as abundant black fruit characteristics interwoven with notions of forest floor, damp earth, charcoal, and a subtle smokiness. Revealing good flesh, a hint of mocha in the mouth, a beautiful texture, medium to full-bodied flavors, and well-integrated acidity that provides freshness as well as delineation, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 5-8 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
$23.00/750ML btl
$276.00/case of 12
2008 - Chateau Joanin Becot Cotes de Castillon
"The wine is opaque purple to the rim, with tremendously sweet black raspberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with charcoal, incense, and a hint of toasty oak. Full-bodied with layers of fruit, sweet tannin, remarkable density, and a long, smooth, velvety-textured finish, this sleeper of the vintage should drink beautifully for 8-10 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
"Intense tar and licorice aromas, with lots of fruit. Full-bodied, with silky, refined tannins and a long, pretty finish."
Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$20.00/750ML btl
$240.00/case of 12
"Its strong perfume reveals scents of black fruits and forest floor, with plenty of glycerin as well as an impression of sweetness from the higher than normal alcohol and ripe fruit. The vintage’s freshness (from higher acids than normal) combined with ripe tannins result in a singular style with full-bodied power and richness yet nuance and delicacy." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 91-93 pts.
$30.00/750ML btl
$360.00/case of 12