Bordeaux 2008 Vintage Overview

Simon Staples’ Bordeaux 2008 review

After 6 days in Bordeaux almost 400 wines and almost as many heated discussions with négociants and châteaux owners we have returned intact and upbeat. 2008 on a qualitative level is a total mixed bag. It’s not a Right Bank or a Left Bank year, nor a Cabernet or Merlot vintage. It all has come down to which châteaux had the nerve/skill to let their grapes sit on the vine longer and absorb all that wonderful Indian summer sun. Combined with huge attention to detail and were rigorous in their selection at all stages. (I'm sure this accounts for why so many of the top châteaux produced such poor second wines).

Which vintage does it remind me of? I can't think of one in the last 10 years. I'd imagine if I had tasted the 1988’s this might well be a modern parallel. It has the cool precision of 2002 but with the puppy fat of 2004 and mineral excitement of 2006.

The cheaper end of the market, where the money wasn't spent in the vineyard or there was reluctance to make that selection, are really mean and going to make selection of Petits Châteaux even harder than usual in a few years’ time. However for some of the Grand Châteaux there are some beauties and I shall definitely be adding a few to my cellar this year.

Out of the 385 wines we have tasted we (a team of six of us) have narrowed it down to 42 wines we shall offer subject to prices. We have narrowed that down to three lists for your perusal (and a few that fall between several stools).