2008

[JimHow]

HWSRN surprised many last year by rating 2008 Bordeaux higher than apparently other critics.

I haven't read any other commentaries out there, what are other critics saying?

The prices for 2008 Bordeaux seem very reasonable.

[rjsussex]

The UK wine trade thought he'd gone mad.

I bought none at the time but, in light of 09 prices, am considering Dom de Chevalier, Langoa and Cantemerle.

Richard

[robert goulet]

hwsrn? help me with this one

[JimHow]

He Who Shall Remain Nameless, a/k/a Robert M. Parker, Jr.

[Claudius2]

Guys
Winemega is positive about 08 ratng St Julien the star.
I did order two cases but maybe the vintage is turning out well.

[robert goulet]

ahhhh, yes thanks

[JonoB]

I bought a lot of 08, it is my type of vintage in terms of style, and I bought mos of mine before he scored the vintage and those prices were very good. However, I didn't touch anything that was expensive for what it was after his scores.

I am however very happy with my case of 08 La Conseillante, which I believe our very own wine doctor rates very highly, although I wish the 09 was only £750 a case!! I shall go back to dreaming.

[JimHow]

Is 2008 a left bank or a right bank vintage Jono?

[JonoB]

From what I have heard, it seems to be more of a right bank vintage like98 or 01, but having said that a lot of wines seem to have surprised people... There seem to be good wines on both sides a good prices, which like the 98s and 01s will give great pleasure.

However, I find talk of great vintages disheartening, whereas great wines are a different matter (great wine now can and will be made every year)... Reputations depend on it!! For me vintages are different... I've had some very pleasant 07s of late...

[JimHow]

Have you heard anything about 2008 Gazin?

[Winesense]

Gabriel reviews the 2008 vintage as very good (not exceptional).

Gazin 2008: rich, purple with some violet on the edge. A dream in the nose. Cassis, bleuberries, leather and truffles. Rich, fine, but strong body with a taste of black berries.
(18/20 about 92-93)

[JimHow]

Thanks Winesense.
I think PappaDoc was high on the 2008 Gazin, and I saw it available at reasonable prices a while back, although I haven't checked lately.

[Claudius2]

Guys
I think 08 is likely to turn out the equal on the right and left bank, with the central medoc doing particularly well.
Maybe a vintage for drinking and not for speculators??

[JonoB]

Not if you watch how the price of the firsts have gone!!

[JimHow]

What are you seeing on 2008 first growth pricing Jono?
For a while they were under $250...

[Houndsong]

2007. Now that's the vintage that's for neither speculators nor drinking! Doesn't that feel good?

[JonoB]

Lafite is trading at about £8000 per case IB,
Mouton at about £3900 per case IB.
Margaux and HB similar, I forget the price of Latour but I think it is somewhere near the price of Lafite.

All are trading in the UK for roughly double if not more than their release price.
Most other wines have seen their value appreciate. There is value o be had, but currently not unless you are quick about it.

In terms if 07, no speculation but there are some nice wines; I thought de Pez and a few others at that level were nice and Mouton recently was very tasty if not amazing. If the prices come down further, this might be where the real value lies.

[Claudius2]

Jono,
I Singapore I can get the 08s still on indent (except the 1ers Crus) for 40% or more less than the 09s.

I could not be bothered with the 1ers Crus anyway.

Lafite was released at $SNG 1,500 a bottle (about $US1,100) here for the 09 and has jumped to $SNG 2,380 for the 3rd tranche.
And it is selling quickly even at that price.
Of course it is a snip next to Petrus at $SNG 4,880 a bottle. So $SNG 59,000 a case (about $U S43,000).

So my point is that 08 is still good value relative to 09 - and and with the 1ers Crus you are buying a status symbol not a bottle of wine.