2008 in our view is a good vintage without being exceptional. The general consensus in the trade was to try and talk the vintage down as the prices needed to be good value for the campaign to work in these difficult economic conditions. This worked at first with the some of first growths (Latour, Lafite and Mouton Rothschild) releasing at half the price of the 2007's. Then Robert Parker (world's No.1 wine critic) released his report….
“All the qualities that make an excellent and in some cases, a great vintage so special: exceptionally dark opaque colours, gorgeously ripe fruit, stunning purity almost across the board, great freshness, slightly higher acids than normal, and remarkable density as well as concentration." Robert Parker
He also mentioned that some of the wines may be as good as 2005 and 2000 but we believe this is over-rated and should be taken with a pinch of salt – BCFW rating for the vintage is 8/10.
Star Value Buys
Chateau Sainte Colombe, Cotes de Castillon 2008 £69.00
Great property owned by Gérard Perse of Chateau Pavie. Close to the border of St Emilion and just as good as may Grand Cru St Emilion's.
Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet, Cru Bourgeois 2008 £79.00
Our Top Cru Bourgeois beating Beaumont, Liverson, Greysac etc.
Chateau Cissac, Cru Bourgeois 2008 £89.00
Good to see Cissac back on form – Recommended by Bill Blatch (First English Negociant and expert on Bordeaux).
St Julien
Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St Julien 2008 £125
Very popular, 2nd wine of Gruaud Larose.
Chateau Talbot, St Julien 2008 £245
Chateau Beychevelle, St Julien 2008 £265
Very popular St Julien. Hard to find physical stock under £350.
Chateau Lagrange, St Julien 2008 £265
Chateau Gruaud Larose, St Julien 2008 £280
Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St Julien 2008 £325
We are surprised this hasn't all sold. On Par with Leoville Barton.
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou, St Julien 2008 £750
Pauillac
Chateau Haut Bages Liberal, Pauillac 2008 £185
Brilliant wine. Our star Buy Pauillac.
Chateau Haut Batailley, Pauillac 2008 £215
Excellent – almost Star Buy Pauillac.
Chateau Clerc Milon, Pauillac 2008 £265
Very Limited. Great Pauillac owned by Mouton Rothschild.
Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac 2008 £380
Limited. Made a great wine in 2008 – Investment wine.
Margaux
Chateau du Tertre, Margaux 2008 £195
Star buy Margaux.
Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2008 £259
Brilliant Margaux – Recommended.
Chateau Malescot St Expury, Margaux 2008 £270
Pavillon Rouge, Margaux 2008 £315
2nd wine of Margaux – Hard to find at a reasonable price later on.
Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol
Chateau La Chenade, Lalande de Pomerol 2008 £98
Chateau Les Cruzelles, Lalande de Pomerol 2008 £150
Chateau Petite Eglise, Pomerol 2008 Star Buy Pomerol £170
Vieux Chateau Certain, Pomerol 2008 £495
Very limited.
St Emilion
Chateau Saintayme, St Emilion Grand Cru 2008 £98
Star Buy St Emilion.
Chateau Pavie Macquin, St Emilion 2008 £360
Very Limited.
St Estephe
Chateau Lafron Rochet, St Estephe 2008 £225
Chateau Montrose, St Estephe 2008 £500
Medoc
Chateau Cantemerle, Medoc 2008 £165
Best Value Cru Classé.
Pessac Leognan
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2008 £280
Star Buy Pessac.
The following are all sold: Leoville Barton, Lafite, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite, Margaux, D'Armailhac, Pichon Lalande, Duhart Milon, Calon Segur, Carruades de Lafite, La Lagune, Haut Brion, Pontet Canet, Troplong Mondot, St Pierre, Larcis Ducasse.
For En Primeur Enquries Contact: James Goodhart on 01325776446.
Please note that Special Conditions apply for En Primeur, refer to our website www.bcfw.co.uk for full details.
• Payment is due upon receipt of invoice by cheque, bank transfer or debit card. If paying by credit card a 2.5% charge will be applied on the total cost.
• All wine is sold by the case exclusive of Duty and Vat (inclusive of shipping and insurance to our UK bond).
• Charges will be incurred for delivery from our UK bonded account and In Bond Transfers where applicable.
• All wine remains the ownership of BCFW until all charges are paid for in full.
• Our initial En Primeur invoice will be exclusive of Duty, Vat and Delivery/Transfer charges (these will be invoiced if you take the wine out of our bond account).
• Annual storage rates will apply for long term storage after the wine is delivered into the UK.
• Duty and VAT will be applied where applicable at the prevailing rate at the time of release.
