Thrown into a tasting of First Growths from this vintage, that probably wasn't fair, but it held it's own even if not one of the top wines.  And, to top it off Inky purple in color.  The nose is very nice with liqueur-like notes of cassis and cherries along with some cedar and spice.  On the palate, this has a lot of cassis fruit with firm tannins.  It will need another five to ten year to maturity.  It is delicious as pop and pour right now.  Considering this is available for around $90 right now, it is hard to justify the prices of some of the other "better" wines.  

Consumed after a tasting of First Growths from 2008, this more than held its own.  It is 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot.  The definition of a sexy wine.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, floral notes and slight plums.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy yet velvety.  Lots of cassis and some raspberries over a slight spice/earth.  Long finish.  There are medium to firm tannins but they are more silky in style.  A delicious wine right now, it should improve for a decade and last another couple (at least) after that.  

Wow.  Served alongside the 2008 Yquem, it just wasn't fair.  An amazing wine.  Deeper (not too deep) gold in color with just a bit of orange/bronze.  The nose is mazing.  Apricots and honey, slight burnt orange peel and just a whiff of vanilla.  On the palate, this has that great acidity to balance the sweetness.  Tons of apricots, slight peach and a bit of orange.  Layered and complex, it is both fascinating and delicious.  A combination of candy and fruit.  The finish goes on forever.  It will work with the right dessert but really needs none.  It seems to be both mature and will probably

Probably, this may be the best wine from Bordeaux in this vintage, but it is going to take a long, long time.  In any event, this is a wine that needs a week to decant now or just wait.  94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color to the rim.  The nose has cassis, licorice, tobacco and heavy roast coffee.  On the palate, this is very concentrated and takes some time to open in the glass.  Firm tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit but packed densely, it is hard to get more than that, but at the same time, the fruit goes on forever.  There is some obvious oak at this p

In a tasting of the top 2008's from Bordeaux, this was the WOTN (and mine) for drinking right now.  Of course, none of them are fully mature and need at least a decade.  This is a very special wine.   83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.  Deep purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is classic with cassis, graphite, cedar, and cigar box.  On the palate, this is intense.  Lots of great cassis fruit intertwined with earthiness and cedar, it unwinds in layers in the glass.  The finish is very persistent and even seems to grow on the palate.  Great balance.  This is a w

This is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is very strong with cassis, plums, graphite, and cedar.  On the palate, this is deep and tight.  Not giving up a lot of details but the total package is delicious and gorgeous.  Firm tannins.  Lots of cassis and "purple" fruits.  Great balance.  An underlying cigar box earthiness.  Long finish.  Like a lot of the 2008's, it seems just a hair behind the "great" vintages which makes this less expensive and more available and still a great vintage.  Cellar this for a decade or three, and it will certain

This is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  It is a classic Margaux with a perfumed nose and plenty to seduce the palate.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, spice and floral/perfumed quality to it.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit with minerality and slight cigar box.  Medium tannins that get a bit stronger in the glass.  It is very young but still accessible.  It is an outstanding wine that will require time to develop.  It has another couple decades for us to see how good it gets.  The group I tasted it w

This is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc.  This was one of the least expensive wines in this magnificent tasting and really stood toe to toe with all of them.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, smoke, graphite and minerals.  Very expressive if not huge.  On the palate, there is a wonderful texture.  Cassis with layers of minerals and char.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This really took some time to open in the glass but then just kept getting better.  It seems like it will need another decade to fully mature and then have a couple more after that (which seems

This is  50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc.  A gorgeous wine that is still very young.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is pretty classic for Haut Brion with cassis, crushed gravel, slight asphalt and strawberries.  On the palate there are silky but firm tannins.  Deep and complex, the layers unwind in the glass.  Cassis and black cherries, slight strawberries over gravel and earth.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This needs  another ten years to maturity and should be there for a couple more decades after that.  It is delicious right now but give it air. 

100% Merlot.  This proved to be a bit controversial.  Some of us loved it while others merely liked it.  Of course, served along side the First growths, the Merlot based wine might be at a disadvantage for those preferring Cabs.  Personally, I thought it was a stunning wine.  It kept opening up over the three hours it was in my glass (with an occasional refill).  As an aside, there is something wonderful about having a waiter ask you if you would like just a bit more Petrus in your glass.  :-)  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is very pretty with cherries, slight cassis, a bit of