2008 - Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
"The 2008 Smith-Haut-Lafitte...exhibits sweet cassis, tobacco leaf, earth, and barbecue characteristics in its complex aromatics. The wine reveals ripe, supple tannin, medium to full body, gorgeous fruit, impeccable purity, and a luscious texture." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 93-95 pts.
"Displays blackberry, blueberry, mineral and flowers. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and a solid core of fruit. Balanced and very pretty, with lovely length."
Wine Spectator, 89-92 pts.
$46.00/750ML btl
$552.00/case of 12
"The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2008 exhibits sweet notes of creme de cassis, blackberries, charcoal, incense, and damp forest floor. With plenty of sweet, ripe tannin in addition to a textured, full-bodied mouthfeel, this blockbuster will require some patience." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 92-94 pts.
"Sweet blackberry and currant on the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins. Plenty of good fruit, with roses and berries. Clean and crisp."
Wine Spectator, 88-91 pts.
$39.75/750ML btl
$477.00/case of 12
"A blockbuster effort from a humble appellation, this sleeper of the vintage exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as sweet creme de cassis, licorice, and incense characteristics, and a remarkably medium to full-bodied, concentrated style for a wine of this pedigree and lowly price. It can be enjoyed during its first 5-7 years of life."
The Wine Advocate, 89-91 pts.
$12.00/750ML btl
$144.00/case of 12
2008 - Chateau Troplong Mondot
Limit 1 case per customer.
"What a worthy rival to the prodigious 2005!...The inky/blue/purple-colored, formidably concentrated 2008 exhibits aromas of smoke, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, roasted coffee, and spice box. Boasting fabulous fruit and purity, a multilayered texture, full body, and prominent, but sweet, well-integrated tannin, this is a tour de force in winemaking from an outstanding and a perfectionist proprietor." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 95-97 pts.
"This is very serious and impressive for the vintage, offering silky tannins and cool, racy fruit, with nutmeg, blackberry and light vanilla character."
Wine Spectator, 91-94 pts.
$67.00/750ML btl
$804.00/case of 12
Limit 1 case per customer.
"Almost painfully concentrated, with an opaque purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of incense, spring flowers, black fruits, graphite, and new oak, this wine displays a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel, high but sweet tannin, and a remarkably long finish that lasts over a minute...Purchasers will require extraordinary patience, but what a wine!"
The Wine Advocate, 93-96+ pts.
$65.00/750ML btl
$780.00/case of 12
2008 - Clos Puy Arnaud Cotes de Castillon
"From low yields of 24 hectoliters per hectare, proprietor Thierry Valette has produced a wine that is difficult to taste, although it is bursting with promise. It was one of a number of wines I tasted that had not yet completed malolactic fermentation, which is a positive sign. Super-concentrated and dense, but backward, unevolved, and not yet strutting its stuff, this should turn out to be an outstanding, relatively long-lived wine, especially for a Cotes de Castillon."
The Wine Advocate, 88-91+ pts.
$19.25/750ML btl
$231.00/case of 12
2008 - La Croix de Beaucaillou
"A second wine has improved immensely under the administration of Bruno Borie, and the 2008 Croix de Beaucaillou is a sensual effort displaying sweet tannins, copious quantities of black currant and blueberry fruit, medium to full body, and a long finish with no hard edges. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, it should drink beautifully for 15 or more years."
The Wine Advocate, 89-91 pts.
"Bright raspberry and blackberry aromas, with hints of mineral. Medium- to full-bodied, with layers of firm, slightly angular tannins and a mineral, berry aftertaste. Second wine of Ducru."
-Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$27.00/750ML btl
$324.00/case of 12
"A beautiful wine exhibiting classic purity along with red and black fruits intermixed with licorice, tobacco leaf, and floral nuances. Sweet, round tannins, and a lovely forward freshness suggest this stunning second wine should drink well young, yet last for 15+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.
The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
"Currant and berries on the nose, with hints of vanilla and coffee. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and lovely fruit. Refined and pretty, but short."
Wine Spectator, 87-90 pts.
$46.00/750ML btl
$552.00/case of 12
"Blackberry and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Medium body, fine tannins and a light finish." -Wine Spectator, 85-89 pts. The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
$34.50/750ML btl
$414.00/case of 12
2007 - Chateau Cap de Faugeres Cotes de Castillon
"Light and fruity, with berry and tobacco character, medium-to-light body and a clean finish. Little hollow."-Wine Spectator, 84-88 pts.
$14.50/750ML btl
$174.00/case of 12