Archive Releases
12 May 2009
Q: What have you more chance of seeing?
- Lord Luken riding Shergar over the last mile at Newbury or
- Buying 2008 Château Haut Bailly En-Primeur?
A: Until five minutes ago Lord Luken/& Shergar!
However, we've just managed to secure a wee parcel @ £460.00 IB per case, which is offered on a first-come-first-basis – We feel this to be the fairest way!
Robert Parker believes that proprietor Robert Wilmers and his winemaker, Veronique Sanders, have raised Haut-Bailly's quality to the level of Pape-Clement, La Mission-Haut-Brion, and Haut-Brion. This is further endorsed with a whopping score of (95-97) the same given to Haut Brion (£2,000.00), Palmer (£1,000.00), Margaux (£2,000.00), and Las Cases (not released)… Need I say more?
95-97 Robert Parker
"The 2008 exhibits superb minerality as well as the delicacy of a great culinary preparation, packed and stacked with flavor, yet light on its feet. The 2008 will compete, perhaps eclipse the sensational 2005 and 2006. 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".
This morning kicks off with the delicious and highly recommended Château Branaire-Ducru, which we are delighted to offer @ £270.00 IB per case or £265.00 IB if 2 or more cases are purchased… Parker awards an impressive 91-93+ and feels their 2008 comes close to rivalling the 2005, 2003 and 2000 vintages. NB: 2005 & 03 exceed well over £500.00 per case.
Sadly, it's difficult to recommend Château Rauzan Ségla as their price seems rather on the high-side @ £430.00 IB per case. . . I'm afraid 91-93 Parker points doesn't justify the lofty price tag!
Over in Saint-Emilion, Château Canon (90-93 Parker) is available @ £430.00 IB per case however, four hundred+ quid seems an awful lot of money for this wine! Why spend £430.00 on something that you're not going to see for the next few years when £450.00 can buy you a case of the delicious 2000 vintage? – Bonkers!
Château de Fieuzal (Rouge) should be congratulated for not only by making a superb 2008 but their price seems a real bargain @ £175.00 IB per case or £170.00 IB if 2 or more cases are purchased. Parker awards a very creditable (90-93) and says "A brilliant effort from De Fieuzal, the dense purple-hued 2008 exhibits aromas of sweet cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, smoke, and herbs, sweet tannin, a full-bodied, powerful, concentrated mouthfeel, and a long, impressively pure, well-textured finish. It is one of the finest wines made at this estate over the last two decades. Moreover, it should drink well for 25 years"
NB: The 2008 is the highest scoring (Parker that is) vintage available. What's not to like?