From half. Sweet blackcurrant fruits on the nose with some Bakewell top notes. A little ground pepper and meatiness too. Palate is tight and youthful with some redcurrant interest and tannins that have a way to go. Thought this might be a little more ready for business but time needed.
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Probably opened this bottle 3-5 years too early. Aromas and flavors are still quite primary. The nose is classy with blackcurrant, cedar, pencil shavings and a hint of barnyard. Similar flavors feature on the palate with additional cocoa powder. Typical for 2008, this wine is quite austere on the palate - mostly due to the high acidity - and also a bit lean. Just lacks some weight and sweetness of fruit on midpalate. The tannins are of high quality and mostly resolved by now. This is a more classy SJ, with a fresher and cooler fruit than 2009/2010. But it is also rather stern and the bitter cedar notes are a bit too much for my liking. Lacks the richness and depth of an excellent vintage. This wine improved after opening over 3 days and it needed food for balance. Can be drunk now, but probably better in 3-5 years. - 90 points
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Attractive medium-intensity nose of musk, sandalwood, cigarbox and cassis. Medium-plus bodied and with a supple, languid flow, a lovely balanced midpalate of cassis, graphite and cedar. Gentle yet persistent tannins tug on the finish of considerable length. The flick of cedar at the end is enthralling. There's still some depth to the midpalate, and it's worth leaving this for another 5+ years for further evolution - although no problems drinking now. Excellent.
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I seem to have a lot of this wine. I wonder how I acquired it. This vintage is getting better and better. Probably the last classic Claret vintage before global warning (although the 2010's are retaining their classic shape).
The 2008 is basically there. All component parts are integrated. Look: it is not an exciting wine and, although they don't call it the second wine to Leoville Barion, that is basically what it is. And yet I quite like it. But I am getting old.
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(Château Langoa Barton) Very dark red violet color; appealing, rich, berry, ripe plum nose; tasty, berry, ripe plum palate with good balance; medium finish 91+ pts.
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3/23/2024 - Jonny Cash Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice wine, even I am not a fan of the vintage 08. Open it and CS coming out, lovely. Nice wine for lunch with family.
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2/26/2024 - Vinumming & Ahhing Likes this wine: 90 Points
From half. Sweet blackcurrant fruits on the nose with some Bakewell top notes. A little ground pepper and meatiness too. Palate is tight and youthful with some redcurrant interest and tannins that have a way to go. Thought this might be a little more ready for business but time needed.
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11/12/2023 - isbjoern wrote: 90 Points
Probably opened this bottle 3-5 years too early. Aromas and flavors are still quite primary. The nose is classy with blackcurrant, cedar, pencil shavings and a hint of barnyard. Similar flavors feature on the palate with additional cocoa powder. Typical for 2008, this wine is quite austere on the palate - mostly due to the high acidity - and also a bit lean. Just lacks some weight and sweetness of fruit on midpalate. The tannins are of high quality and mostly resolved by now. This is a more classy SJ, with a fresher and cooler fruit than 2009/2010. But it is also rather stern and the bitter cedar notes are a bit too much for my liking. Lacks the richness and depth of an excellent vintage. This wine improved after opening over 3 days and it needed food for balance. Can be drunk now, but probably better in 3-5 years. - 90 points
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6/9/2023 - lightning wrote: 92 Points
Attractive medium-intensity nose of musk, sandalwood, cigarbox and cassis. Medium-plus bodied and with a supple, languid flow, a lovely balanced midpalate of cassis, graphite and cedar. Gentle yet persistent tannins tug on the finish of considerable length. The flick of cedar at the end is enthralling. There's still some depth to the midpalate, and it's worth leaving this for another 5+ years for further evolution - although no problems drinking now. Excellent.
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5/5/2023 - vide Likes this wine: 92 Points
I seem to have a lot of this wine. I wonder how I acquired it. This vintage is getting better and better. Probably the last classic Claret vintage before global warning (although the 2010's are retaining their classic shape).
The 2008 is basically there. All component parts are integrated. Look: it is not an exciting wine and, although they don't call it the second wine to Leoville Barion, that is basically what it is. And yet I quite like it. But I am getting old.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment