On Monday, January 24, I had the pleasure of attending the 2008 Vintage Tasting presented by Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. More than 100 different wines were poured. The overall impression of 2008-read more-
The nose has a characteristic cigar/tobacco aroma, suggesting the wine is at or near maturity. The palate is smooth and supple and just about ready. A delicious wine and one that reinforces the excellent reputation of the 1996 Bordeaux vintage.-read more-
A bit closed on the nose though showing some cigar. Not quite ready on the palate, with some tannin to lose, though these are good and have a nice texture. This vintage of Léoville-Poyferré finishes a bit short for an-read more-
A total of 240,000 bottles were produced from a harvest that stretched from September 30 to October 18. The nose is earthy and is already showing some cigar aromas—this wine is starting to mature. Quite a smooth texture on the-read more-
At Léoville-Poyferré this great Bordeaux vintage was harvested September 26 to October 8 and produced 230,000 bottles of highly priced wine. Quite closed on the nose at the moment but the palate is sumptuous—smooth, rich, and elegant. Its luscious style-read more-
Harvested September 21 to October 7, yielding 235,000 bottles. This vintage of Léoville-Poyferré displays quite hard oak tannins and is really rather charmless, lacking the elegance and charm that distinguishes it in better years. Nonetheless the structure of the wine-read more-
Harvesting began on September 26, the same date as in 2005, and ended on October 10. 257,000 bottles were produced. On the nose this shows the earthy fruit character that is so typical of St-Julien, though some oak is still-read more-