“Over the next quarter of a century, it will be interesting to see how this 2008 matches up with La Lagune’s prodigious 2005, the finest wine they have ever made. The opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2008 may be the second greatest wine yet produced here. Displaying sweet kirsch, black currant, cedar, smoke, and graphite aromas as well as an impressive thickness and glycerol richness, and a pure, nuanced character (because of the grapes’ long hang-time and the small yields), this remarkable effort is long, textured, and impeccably well-balanced. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20-25.” —WA 92-94

“This is a superb vintage for Chateau Margaux, and while it may be too early to say this, the 2008 appears superior to the 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Only 36% of the crop was utilized and the yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. An exceptionally late harvest for this estate began on October 3 for the Merlot, and finished on October 23. The final blend includes a whoppingly high 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As always, the first characteristic one notices is the extraordinary floral component as well as the sweet black currant fruit allied to full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and superb freshness and delineation. In many ways, the 2008 is reminiscent of the 1996, but the former wine is showing even more density and concentration than the 1996 did at the same point in its evolution. The 2008, which appears set for 30-40 years of longevity, is a remarkable effort from this great estate.” —WA 95-97

“The 2008 Palmer, which tips the scales at 13.5% natural alcohol (among the highest achieved at this property), is a blend of 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot. It is a massively rich wine with an inky/purple color, sensational density of fruit, velvety tannins, a glorious bouquet of black fruits, licorice, incense, and subtle barbecue smoke, a superb, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a fabulous texture and length. With several minutes of swirling, an enticing floral note emerges. The wine’s glycerin and sweetness suggest it will be approachable 3-4 years after bottling, yet keep for three decades or more. It appears to be among the finest Palmers made this decade, rivaling both the 2005 and 2000.” —WA 95-97

“The 2008 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, represents 47% of the crop (keep in mind that 17% of the total crop was sold off in bulk), and is composed of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and the rest mostly Petit Verdot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc. It is 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.” —WA 90-92

“Duhart Milon has become one of the stars of Pauillac thanks to the meticulous attention to detail as well as the investments made by the Rothschild family. A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, with the Cabernet picked during the week of October 8-15, and the Merlot a week earlier, the 2008 offers up sweet aromas of cassis, licorice, crushed rocks, and forest floor in an expressive, graceful aromatic display. Freshness, superb concentration, high but ripe, sweet tannins, and good acids characterize this dense, concentrated wine. It possesses a stunning upside potential of 25-30 years. Yet, like so many of these 2008s, the ripeness of the tannins along with the density and sweetness of the fruit suggest it will be approachable at an early age.” —WA 93-95

“This strong effort from Lynch Bages may turn out to be the finest wine produced here since the 2000. It is a backward, powerful, opaque purple-colored 2008 with fine acids, firm but sweet tannins, and thick, dense levels of attractive blackberry and cassis fruit intertwined with notions of underbrush, lead pencil shavings, and roasted herbs. It appears to be a denser, richer effort than some of the more lightweight Lynch Bages offerings of recent years. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030.” —WA 91-93+

“A wine for our children’s children. Nobody in Bordeaux is more attentive to detail than Alfred Tesseron is at Pontet-Canet. Fashioned from incredibly low yields, a very late harvest, and a Draconian selection, the 2008 will not be close to drinkability for at least a decade, and it should still be in superb form circa 2060. An absolutely amazing effort, it boasts an inky/black/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of creme de cassis, graphite, charcoal, and incense, blockbuster depth, and full-bodied power. The tannins are high, but they are remarkably velvety as well as well-integrated. Sensational acidity gives the wine precision and vibrancy, but the impression is one of massive concentration and power. The 2008 Pontet-Canet, a candidate for the wine of the vintage, is a tour de force in viticultural precision and winemaking savoir faire.” —WA 96-98+

“One of the finest wines made at this estate over the last three decades, Domaine de Chevalier's 2008 (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) achieved 13% natural alcohol. It was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare, which is significantly lower than in most top vintages. The most noticeable thing is that consultant Stephane Derenoncourt has drastically cut back the influence of new oak, or at least its ability to intrude on the aromatics and flavors. This beautifully textured, dense purple-colored 2008 exhibits notes of graphite, spring flowers, and blue as well as red fruits in an elegant, full-bodied, flavorful, layered mouthfeel. The freshness of the vintage, combined with low yields has given this cuvee an atypical density and richness that is largely unprecedented. Production is relatively small for the size of the vineyard (about 8,000 cases). This beauty should drink well for 25+ years.” —WA 92-94

“A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, it reveals a deep blue/purple hue in addition to sumptuous aromas of melted asphalt, graphite, blueberries, and black currant liqueur. Dense, with high but velvety tannins, top-flight purity, and a full-bodied, backward, formidably endowed style, this beauty seems to be set for a long life. It is difficult to compare 2008 with any other recent vintage, but the closest would probably be 1998. A La Mission made for four decades or more of cellaring, it is a top-notch effort that should improve during the elevage in barrel.” —WA 94-96

“A brilliant effort from this hallowed vineyard sandwiched between La Fleur and Petrus, the 2008 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, kirsch, vanilla, and forest floor. The wine reveals remarkably sweet, ripe tannins, a full-bodied, layered, multidimensional mouthfeel, and a long finish. There is plenty of tannin, but it is so silky that this cuvee will be approachable in 3-4 years, and should last for 25+.” —WA 92-94

“The 2008 La Fleur de Bouard was cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine came in at 13% natural alcohol. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a big, sweet nose of white chocolate, creme de cassis, licorice, tar, and toast. A lively, crisp acid profile is due to the lack of serious heat in 2008. Textured and long, it is capable of lasting a decade or more. This is a sleeper of the vintage.” —WA 90-93

“This is the first superstar wine Christian Moueix has produced from this vineyard beautifully situated on the plateau of Pomerol. Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it was harvested in October (as were most top Pomerols), and reveals a powerful, rich, massive style that is atypical for a Moueix offering. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as an extraordinary perfume of black cherries, black currants, blackberries, licorice, and even a hint of truffles. Deep, full-bodied, and powerful with high tannins, huge depth, and a seamless integration of its component parts, this appears to be an utterly profound wine that should age effortlessly for 20-30 years.” —WA 95-97

“The 2008 is as profound as the 2005. Approximately 33% of the crop made it into Ducru, which came in at 13.1% natural alcohol. This 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot blend reveals a dense opaque purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet bouquet of spring flowers, creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, licorice, espresso roast, and spice. A testament to the density and richness of this wine is the fact that no oak is apparent in the aromas or flavors. The wine is unctuously textured, but analytically, it has a good level of total acid and sound pH. This fabulous offering will age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. ” —WA 96-98

“While it is not the 2000 or 1990, the 2008 is the finest Gruaud Larose I have tasted in eight years. Not a blockbuster, it is more beefy and dense than other recent vintages, revealing notes of pine forest, smoke, herbs, licorice, black currants, and cedar. With high but ripe tannins, medium to full body, and a strong finish, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should keep for 20 years thereafter.” —WA 89-91

“This powerful, dense, full-bodied 2008 is still backward and unevolved, but it possesses a dense purple color as well as sweet aromas of creme de cassis, vanillin, crushed rocks, and flowers. With high but ripe tannin and a long finish, this wine will benefit from 5-8 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades thereafter.” —WA 92-94