TN 2008 Domaine de Chevalier

[AlohaArtakaHoundsong]

This was staring me in the face after reading the high reviews of this wine's 2015 at the UGC. Being that it is over the 8 year threshold of when it may be drunk, I popped and poured last night and during dinner we learned that my friends' offer on a condo here in Hilo was accepted, making for a merry evening.

This is a pretty large-scaled wine that is open for business but which seems likely to evolve positively over some indefinite time frame, say the next 20 years. Good tannic/acidic structure and enough fruit to last, as evidenced by a post-dinner glass which did not come off as unpalatably astringent or acidic without food. It's a bit oaky on the nose and palate at first but this seemed to subside over a couple of hours into a harmonious melange of typical aromas of leather and polished furniture and dark figgy fruits. Whatever the "it" is, this has it to transcend the merely good, enjoyable Bordeaux and enter the realm of that classic style we all enjoy. I'll bet that 2015 is really something.

[JimHow]

Well done Hound.

[Tom In DC]

Thanks, Hound. 2008 always struck me as a BWE kind of year.

[Racer Chris]

I enjoyed a bottle of the 2009 at the end of 2017.
Nice bottle of wine, but poor QPR at $90+.

[Ognik]

Will keep my 08 DdC case closed for at least 5 more years.
Will finish my 00 and 04 first. Very fine wines now.

[Comte Flaneur]

The 1998 is singing beautifully now. Better than Haut-Bailly.

[jckba]

The 1998 is singing beautifully now. Better than Haut-Bailly.

I spoke to Daina Paulin who is the Haut Bailly commercial manager last week at the UGC and while the recently deceased Robert Wilmers purchased the estate in 1998, according to her it was not until the 2004 vintage where the fruits of their labor became apparent in terms of making better wine. And from there as we both know, the rest is history.

[Comte Flaneur]

Yes I agree JC that 2004 was the break through vintage for Haut-Bailly. The 1998 is very good though... but DDC is even better. I suspect DDC is better than Pape Clement in 1998, a very good year in Pessac. I own a few bottles of the 1998 and 2004 Haut-Bailly and cases of the 2006, 2008, 2015 and 2016. Wish I owned the 2009 and 2012 as well.