98 Robert Parker
A candidate for the -wine of the vintage,- the 2008 should have been purchased before it began to soar in value because of the significance of the number 8 in the Chinese culture (denoting good luck). Representing 40% of the production, this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc offers aromas of high quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, earth, cedar and asphalt. Full, rich and stunningly concentrated, I doubt it is inferior to the 2010, just more classic as well as slightly more forward and a degree weaker in alcoholic potency (12.5% versus 13.5%). The 2008 should be relatively drinkable in 6-10 years as it is already showing remarkable complexity and breed, and will last for 30-35 years...at the minimum.
98 Robert Parker
A candidate for the -wine of the vintage,- the 2008 should have been purchased before it began to soar in value because of the significance of the number 8 in the Chinese culture (denoting good luck). Representing 40% of the production, this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc offers aromas of high quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, earth, cedar and asphalt. Full, rich and stunningly concentrated, I doubt it is inferior to the 2010, just more classic as well as slightly more forward and a degree weaker in alcoholic potency (12.5% versus 13.5%). The 2008 should be relatively drinkable in 6-10 years as it is already showing remarkable complexity and breed, and will last for 30-35 years...at the minimum.
95 James Suckling
Minerals, tar and sous bois with dark fruit. Sweet tobacco. Black licorice. Full and chewy with lots of fruit but very reserved. So much mineral and sweet tobacco. It is all there. Give it four to five years of bottle age before beginning to explore the wine.
18 Rene Gabriel
83 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc. Dunkles Granat mit lila und violetten Reflexen am Rand. Konzentriertes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, Brazil-Tabak, Korinthen, Rauch und Sommertrüffel, Heidelbeerentouch, trockener Fruchtansatz, eine zarte Schwarzschoko-Minzenoten zeigend (After-Eight). Im Gaumen fest, muskulös, kernige, ja fast grüne Tannine, zwar charaktervoll aber noch selten so kantig und bourgeois erlebt, gleicht seinem eigenen 88er und wird nie so richtig Finessen erlangen. Weil man weiss, dass hier ein geduldiges Potential vorhanden ist und der Wein in 20 Jahren diesen deutlichen Finessenmange absorbieren kann, sind wir gewillt auf 18/20 zu gehen. Es ist aber bei weitem der schwächste Premier Grand Cru in diesem Jahr!
18 Rene Gabriel
83 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc. Dunkles Granat mit lila und violetten Reflexen am Rand. Konzentriertes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, Brazil-Tabak, Korinthen, Rauch und Sommertrüffel, Heidelbeerentouch, trockener Fruchtansatz, eine zarte Schwarzschoko-Minzenoten zeigend (After-Eight). Im Gaumen fest, muskulös, kernige, ja fast grüne Tannine, zwar charaktervoll aber noch selten so kantig und bourgeois erlebt, gleicht seinem eigenen 88er und wird nie so richtig Finessen erlangen. Weil man weiss, dass hier ein geduldiges Potential vorhanden ist und der Wein in 20 Jahren diesen deutlichen Finessenmange absorbieren kann, sind wir gewillt auf 18/20 zu gehen. Es ist aber bei weitem der schwächste Premier Grand Cru in diesem Jahr!
94 Vinous
The 2008 Lafite Rothschild put in a strange showing at the previous horizontal just a few weeks earlier. This bottle is much better. It has a deep color with little ageing on the rim. On the nose there is ample fruit, blackberry and bilberry with notes of pencil lead and sage, but overall there is just more intensity than the previous bottle. The palate is well balanced with fine grain tannin and good density, a facet occasionally lacking in Lafite-Rothschild. There is just a touch of brown sugar and sage towards the finish that fortunately does not attenuate like the previous bottle. This is much more representative and whilst not the best First Growth of the vintage, it certainly shows more sophistication and class even if it does not match its more stellar showings just after bottling. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 10-Year On tasting.
94 Vinous
The 2008 Lafite Rothschild put in a strange showing at the previous horizontal just a few weeks earlier. This bottle is much better. It has a deep color with little ageing on the rim. On the nose there is ample fruit, blackberry and bilberry with notes of pencil lead and sage, but overall there is just more intensity than the previous bottle. The palate is well balanced with fine grain tannin and good density, a facet occasionally lacking in Lafite-Rothschild. There is just a touch of brown sugar and sage towards the finish that fortunately does not attenuate like the previous bottle. This is much more representative and whilst not the best First Growth of the vintage, it certainly shows more sophistication and class even if it does not match its more stellar showings just after bottling. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 10-Year On tasting.
92 Wine Spectator
Supple and harmonious already, with inviting, almost plush blackberry, plum and fig fruit notes carried by fine-grained, lightly cedary structure. Black tea and sandalwood flash on the finish. Poised now, but has the stuffing for more time in bottle. Drink now through 2020. –JM .
92 Wine Spectator
Supple and harmonious already, with inviting, almost plush blackberry, plum and fig fruit notes carried by fine-grained, lightly cedary structure. Black tea and sandalwood flash on the finish. Poised now, but has the stuffing for more time in bottle. Drink now through 2020. –JM .
