2008 Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estéphe, IMW Annual Claret Tasting

Saint-Julien

Beychevelle:

Ruby. Vanilla and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, quite playfulnand elegant, touch of coffee mid palate, long finish. 92

Branaire Ducru:

Ruby. Floral, somewhat scented and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit lean but lovely texture. Good length. 90

Gruaud Larose:

Ruby. Floral and scented over cassis and vanilla. Seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, refreshing and quite superb length. 93

Lagrange:

Deep ruby. Floral and scented, candied apples, cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant body and texture, refreshing and good length. 91

Langoa-Barton:

Ruby. Scented and flirting nose. Cassis, nuanced and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, mouthwatering and truly elegant. Lovely effort. Long. 93

Léoville Barton:

Ruby. Scented, herbs, cassis and rich for LB. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant, but almost verging on hollow. Maybe closed. Long. The second bottle more together and fuller mid-palate. 92

Léoville Las Cases:

Ruby. Cassis, coffee, herbs and vanilla. Extremelly tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresher and more open palate, lovely texture, refined and very long. 94

Léoville Poyferré:

Deep ruby. Deep nose of cassis, plums and scented notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite mouthwatering and not too rich as some late vintages. Towards refined. Long. 92+

Saint-Pierre:

Deep ruby. Scented, bell peppers, cassis and white chocolate. Refreshing acidity, ripe tannins, lacks a bit of charm to be honest. Good length. 90

Talbot:

Ruby. Scented and as tight as the one two week back at the estate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and refreshing but needs time to open. Long. 92

Pauillac

Batailley:

Ruby. Cassis and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lean and one dimensional. 86

Clerc-Milon:

Ruby. Cassis and some bell peppers,, slightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant if somewhat lean texture. Good length. 91

Croizet-Bages:

Ruby. Soap and cassis. Sweet and simple. 82

d'Armailhac:

Ruby. Scented, cassis and tobacco. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, finetuned Pauillac, long. 92

Duhart-Milon:

Ruby. Scented, cassis and cedar. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit hollow and lacks a bit of character. Good length. 89

Grand-Puy-Lacoste:

Ruby. Scented, figs, cassis and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner style, elegant and good length. 90

Haut Bages Libéral:

Ruby. Cassis, plums, ripe feel. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant and fruit driven, long. 91

Haut-Batailley:

Ruby. Scented and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and quite elegant. 90

Lynch Bages:

Ruby. Cassis and scented notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite mouthwatering, elegant texture. Long. 92

Pichon Longueville Baron:

Deep ruby. Coffee, vanilla, cassis, deep feel. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and more elegant palate. Long. 93

Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:

Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, slightly scented and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, refined and long. 93

Pontet-Canet:

Ruby. Rich nose of cassis, plums and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture and structure, long finish. 93

Saint-Estéphe

Calon Sègur:

Ruby. Herbs, black tea and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing and good length. 91

Cos d'Estournel:

Deep ruby. Cheese, coffe, cassis and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, rich and somewhat sweet. Good length. 92

Cos Labory:

Ruby. Sweet and scented,  fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft texture, good length. 89

Montrose:

Ruby. Cassis, scented, ever so slightly herbal in the back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, closed nose. Long. 92