Archive Releases

14 May 2009

We simply adored the 2007 Château Pape Clement Blanc however, their 2008 pricing is bonkers and impossible to recommend @ £1,200.00 IB per case. . . Parker awarded the 2007 96-100, which goes some way to justifying the price (scarcity being the other) however, the 2008 received a simple 91-93, which should in theory warrant a sensible price tag. Not one for the cellar this year!

It's an ever-so slightly healthier story with Château Pape Clement Rouge, available @ £755.00 IB per case but (and it's a BIG but) why would you buy it? Granted, it's received an impressive 94-96 from Parker who describes the 08 as "not far off the quality of the monumental 2005" currently selling around the £1,200 mark however, is the price tag appealing compared to Pontet Canet, Pichon Lalande, Montrose and Ducru? I'll let you make your own decision!

Robert Parker 94-96
"Not far off the quality of the monumental 2005, Pape Clement's 2008 was cropped at a lowly 30 hectoliters per hectare. The final blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, and there are approximately 7,500 cases. The 2008 displays a dense purple color as well as a classic northern Pessac-Léognan nose of truffles, asphalt, scorched earth, charcoal, creme de cassis, spice box, and spring flowers. Super-pure and medium to full-bodied with stunning concentration, admirable purity, slightly more acidity than usual, and formidable depth and length, given the sweetness of the tannins and the ripeness of the fruit, this wine should be approachable in 4-5 years, but the vintage's crisp style suggests it will last for 25-30 or more years."

Finally, Château Ducru Beaucaillou is out and available @ £750.00 IB per case. . . In truth, I was hoping (perhaps naively) for a slightly better price however, Bruno Borie's price must have been based on the following two facts; Robert Parker's whopping score of 96-98, which ties it with Château Latour but ahead of Mouton Rothschild, Margaux and Haut Brion and the lack of quantity produced as approximately 33% of the crop made it into the Grand Vin.

Parker believes Ducru's 2008 is "as profound as the 2005" – It's worth noting Parker's scores for the 2005:

• 92-94+ (En-Primeur score)
• 95-97 (A year on)
• 97 (the 'bottled' score and currently highest scoring Ducru vintage, which trades around the £1,400.00 mark)

Can the 2008 be the greatest Ducru Beaucaillou? It looks very likely however, the next two years will unveil the truth. . .

Robert Parker 96-98
"In Bruno Borie's words, the 2008 Ducru Beaucaillou is "well above 2004, with much more structure than 2007, and more sensuality than 2006." I would add that it is even better than that, and 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"