Using this wine as an example, I will tell you how important it is to drink wine at the right temperature. I always have a problem with this, it was similar here because the wine was too cold and the first sip was mainly high acidity and very little fruit. How did I deal with it? I simply took the glass in my hands and warmed it for about 5 minutes and a miracle happened. The acidity decreased significantly and the fruit came to the fore. 54% CS, 29% M, 15% CF & 2% PV. Why do I mention components here? Because black coffee is definitely in smell and black chocolate in taste. It's very interesting, because the smell is perfumed, floral, with a load of herbs. If I may put it this way, the smell is generally sultry, something like an Indian cafe filled with opium smoke. Taste - not so typical CS, even by Bordeaux measure. It's heavy but not by meaning it's sweet, syropy, with high ABV. It's loaded with a lot of herbs, mint, tobacco, minerals, blackberry, as I mentioned above black coffee, red cherry, spice. How this crazy mix is still balanced, juicy, delicious is beyond my imagination. Vivid acidity and dusty tannins. Long, dry finish. WE - 91 RP - 90 JS - 90 Vinous - 90 ST - 90
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Dark red / ruby color. Clear. Soft, integrated tannins. Medium acidity. Nose of leather, cigar box, and mushrooms in addition to the dark cherry and plums. Balanced fruit flavors typical of Bordeaux. An excellent example of this vintage. This wine will not get better so i suggest drinking sooner rather than later, though it’s balance will assure that it is still good for 5 more years at least.
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Consistent with previous note, perhaps not a special occasion wine, but a lovely glass of classic claret. Red plums, cigar box, medium bodied with clean acidity.
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Initially sexy rolled tobacco and red fruits, this moved more towards cigar and earthy mature flavors with air. Compared to many other 2008 Pauillacs drank recently from 375 mLs, this seems more mature and in the secondary zone. I think it is peaking now for my taste and I wouldn't hold bottles much longer.
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I enjoyed this a great deal. Opened a couple of hours prior but not decanted. As observed previously, it has the 2008 character of more savoury cool notes of dead leaves, coal, ink, rather than lush fruit, but it’s dense and not at all green or bitter. Quite serious. Drinking well.
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Restaurant Zoldering Amsterdam-celebrating their Michelin star: 375 ml, a lovely deep and ripening colour, I guessed and guessed and thought Gevrey, finally I went from the right bank to the left. The wine misses some personality, but is very gentle and friendly, still with flowers in the bouquet and a slightly elevated citrus. The citrus shows on a gentle way the vintage '08. The finish is persistent and quite long and completely balanced.
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On opening it has an immediate heady cigar box and cedar nose - an intersection between secondary and tertiary characters. On the palate it’s very structured - wet rocks and bell peppers - you can tell it lacks the full fruit of a ripe vintage, but has firm four square acid and tannins. That said it’s entirely classical and the fruit, muted though it is, is still silky. For lovers of old fashioned claret perhaps. No hurry to drink.
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From 375mls with a crumbly cork. Bricking on rim. Inviting sweet, ripe plum nose with a dash of cedar. Very smooth but a bit short initially but widens with air time. This has seen more lively days but it’s smooth texture makes for easy, good drinking and there is enough complexity to show off its pedigree.
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Cassis, plum and dark cherry. Oak of vanilla and herb. Medium tannis and low alcohol. Sweetness is medium. Less complexity and body compared to 2009 that I have tried months back.
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Not the good display for d'Armailhac in 2008, classic Pauillac profiles but not complex, some minerals with some mints, herbaceous med+ acidity, med+ finishing. Try again in 3-5 years when tannin soften out
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A good claret; on the dense, concentrated side, up the more herbaceous end of things (cool wet leaves, blackcurrant leaf) with a bit of chewiness on the tannins.
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Dark and brooding. Maybe with grilled meats. But a little too chewy mouthfeel and a little too much barnyard. Very big. Not nuanced really. Strike one against the Bordeaux clan in the Burgundy / Bordeaux showdown.
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Herbal, minty and leafy with red fruits, medium body and a salty, red berry finish. The wine is a bit strict and the tannins stand out. Give it a few more years for the wine to soften and fill out.
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Am ersten Abend ganz ansprechend aber recht verschlossen, etwas spitze Säure und zu fünft nicht ausgetrunken. Am zweiten Tag nicht mehr erträglich. Deutlich überteuerter Wein.
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Recent review by Decanter indicated it´s drinkability now, and they are right. Tertiary aromas have developed, along with softer tannins. Cranberry to cherry aromas and fruit flavors are it´s base. Some leafy, herbal in the nose peaks out later on. A soft, elegant style that satisfies the Bordeaux crowd preferring elegance over concentration. Slight acid and green tannins that dissipate with food.
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Aromas of cherry stones, blackcurrant leaf, undergrowth and dark minerals on the nose; medium body, clove tinged fruits, acidity is a bit gawky and sticks out. Not a lot of fruit on the palate. Quite slight and doesn’t last. Nose is the best thing about this.
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Two bottles on one evening. Not the most expressive Pauillac in the world, but one bottle was definitely better in this respect. Benefits from a longish decant. Understated, but food friendly.
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What a wonderful wine! It really surprised me with its red berry fruit and easy drinking style blended with a bit of classic tannin. A bit of a gem for the low price really.
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Decanted this for an hour. Not enough at all. Still high tannins with rough edges all over. The nose is a unique Pauillac blend with earthy and chives. Put it away for another hour and it did start to show some promises. This is definitely a sophisticated and well balanced wine and do need alot of time to hit the right note. At least another 5 years before my next bottle. Will be patiently waiting.
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Cellier Wine Fair (Hilton Athenaum Hotel): The nose is quite strange for such a fresh left bank Bordeaux. So brett infected, very medicinal, earthy and iodine, thin red cherry. This comes through in the palate, feels so strange after the Mas La Plana, the wine shows red berry, medicinal again, thin, med tannins, dry, red cherry and berry, some dry herbs and rather short finish. Good quality (I’m still wondering if this could classify as faulty), drink yesterday
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Very satisfying, great combination of complexity, ageing and intensity. On the nose you find still some sour cherry and black berry aromas, together with spicy, toasty and earthy character. In the palate it shows good strength, with a medium + body supported by medium + ripe tannins and still a nice acidity. I like its being defined and complex, filling, but at the same time not vulgar or over the top.
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In the end disappointed - again. I've drunk a few of the 2008 over the last few years and none have held a candle to the 2006 I tried previously. Closed and undrinkable on opening, then opened up after 1+ hrs. decanted. Still a little thin and not much pleasantness on the finish, synthetic fruit and copper echoes. At this price point (I paid $39) I wouldn't buy/cellar any more.
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Produced in a light and polite style, with cassis, cranberry and spice in the nose, this medium bodied Pauillac does not have the level of concentration found in the beautiful 2009 or 2010. It's a correctly made Pauillac, it's just a little light. It should drink well young.
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Commanderie de Bordeaux tasting/dinner. Dark purple. Expressive nose of black current, forest floor, pine. Medium bodied and very pleasant to drink now. Very good Pauillac typicity and elegance. A bit meager structurally, 2008 what can you say.
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Its a nicely made wine. Drinks well at this age but would be better in a couple of years. Little restraint on the nose , black currants , some earthy notes and spiciness is obvious. Oak presence is nicely balanced. On the palate a little tartness followed by a good fruit concentration . Finish is medium to long . overall I liked this wine. Its medium body and juicy in style.
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Nice floral nose with some cedar. Very creamy texture through front and mid-palate but thins out on the finish. I can see why I liked this at a tasting and bought some but seems a little one dimensional now. It feels like a 2009 cru-bourgeois for 1/2 the price would do the same job in the cellar...
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Tasted this during the Master Class with Baron- Philippe de Rothschild Chateaux @ St Regis, Singapore.
Wine is made up of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
Wine has lots of spice on the nose and on entry. Chewy tannins gave way to form a nice and beautiful complexion in the mouth. Elegant finish and lingering after taste.
A delicious wine.
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Subtle nose. Notes of forest floor, cherry, and cassis. Not as exciting as 2009 vintage, relatively lighter in structure. Not very long finish. Fruits seems to be fading fast. 87-89 pts.
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As always a fantastic aroma with loads of sandy/stony terroir associated aromas, play-dough and cassis. I can smell this for hours. Unfortunately the flavour doesn't deliver quite as much excitement. Slightly thinner than the best, still in balance with a good structure though. A very good wine all in all, would have been amazing with more depth to the flavour.
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very dark purple color which reveals its youthful age.
decanted for 1 hr, and drank over Wimbleton Men's Final . black currant, toasted oak, plum. pretty tight on the palate, with pencil lead, black currant and slightly dry tannin. drink pretty well now (after 1 hr decanting), overall a good structure bordeaux.
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After a recork and 2 days. Nose: Black currants, plum sauce, soy, black pepper, tobacco leaf, hint of gravel & pencil lead action. Palate: Currants, plums, smoke on the attack. Anise, soy, smooth tannins appear on the mid-palate. Soy, dark currants, and pencil lead linger on the medium finish.
Definitely still a worthwhile buy, but I wouldn't go beyond its current selling price. I would stash a few away for 3-5 years for that moment you want to revisit the 2008 vintage in the form of Pauillac.
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Nose: Dusty gravel, plums, black currants, soy, pencil lead, tobacco leaf, eucalytpus. Palate: Bold, ripe, and fleshy currants dominate the attack, but are also framed by pencil lead and rich soy sauce. Excellent transition to the mid-palate and through to the finish. Some may find the tannins a little too drying but their texture and fleshiness augur well for this wine's future potential.
While virtually all the attention has moved on to the 2009 and 2010 vintage, I would advise against overlooking 2008. All the futures I have have received and tasted thus far have shown enough material for this vintage to warrant further exploration and purchasing. This D'Armailhac is a delicious wine and represents its appellation very well.
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29% Merlot / 54% Cabernet Sauvignon / with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This comes across quite light and elegant on the nose, throwing off aromas of cherry and lavender. More herbs and floral characteristics on the palate, along with a good dose of lead pencil, asphalt, figs, and tart currants. Tannins are fairly soft, with a medium+ finish ending with a note of lead pencil. A touch soft for my liking. OK.
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A light weight and elegant wine, on the palate there is predominately some dirt, powdery tannin, and feels very earthy. Good but not my style, No score
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Tasted at Zachy's Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux's 2008 Bordeaux Vintage Tasting @ Metropolitan Pavilion. Fruit-forward w/much sweet tannins & decent mix of acidity.
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Has quite a nice nose – kind of perfumey and floral, with a little bit of smoke. Very appealing, at least among the 08s tasted today. Palate is a bit light, a little tart and tomatoey. Not terrific, but has some beauty. 89
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This medium bodied Bordeaux wine offers tobacco, earth and cherry notes in the perfume. Light in style, the wine shows some green flavors in the finish. Similar to Clerc Milon, the strong 2009 d'Armahillac remains the wine to buy. It's probably the best wine the property has ever produced. It's also one of the best values from the Medoc in an expensive vintage.
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UGC 2008 Bordeaux (The Drake, Chicago IL): nose: very good and balanced nose of pencil lead, cedar, dark red cherries, red licorice, dark red fruits and spice box tones
taste: full bodied with big and chewy tannins along with tones of pencil lead, cedar, dark red cherries and spice box tones. Balanced, but the tannins are a bit much right now
overall: this is young, but also pretty typical for d'armailhac. this could use a few years to come together and fully balance out
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Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2008 Tasting (The Barker Hangar – Santa Monica, CA): There are lovely and complex aromas on the nose such as slate, currant, and berries. The palate is equally charming with restrained floral and herb driven fruit that shows tinges of dark berry character. This wine has great balance and approachability due to the deft structure.
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Union Des Grand Cru of Bordeaux Tasting San Francisco, nose of red and black fruit, same on the palate, fairly fruit forward but light and simple fruit tasted today, OK wine to me, medium body, and medium finish.
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08 Château D’Armailhac offered hints of licorice with black fruit on the nose. Medium bodied with soft tannins and an easy going personality, it’s a wine to drink young. 87-89 Pts
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Trip to Bordeaux; 8/9/2009-8/14/2009: (tasted in chateau Mouton Rothschild) This is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon.29% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc.2% Petit Verdot. Beautiful purple color, dense nose with a lot of oak and toast. Quite fruity with a lot of tannins though. This will require at least 5 years before it will be ready. But still, it seems it will evolve into a fine wine.
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Bordeaux 2008: First Glimpse (Averys, Bristol): 3.0-3.25. A little raw and green, blackcurrants and a little floral touch. Slightly burnt biscuit taste. Interesting, certainly, but not for me. A little thin, no mid-palate, quite poor finish.
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3/3/2024 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 91 Points
Proper claret starting to show tertiary character. Medium weight, 2008 is not a big vintage.
D’armailhac is classy claret nowadays.
Drinking well now.
13%, cork.
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11/25/2023 - WojteG Likes this wine: 92 Points
Using this wine as an example, I will tell you how important it is to drink wine at the right temperature. I always have a problem with this, it was similar here because the wine was too cold and the first sip was mainly high acidity and very little fruit. How did I deal with it? I simply took the glass in my hands and warmed it for about 5 minutes and a miracle happened. The acidity decreased significantly and the fruit came to the fore.
54% CS, 29% M, 15% CF & 2% PV. Why do I mention components here?
Because black coffee is definitely in smell and black chocolate in taste.
It's very interesting, because the smell is perfumed, floral, with a load of herbs. If I may put it this way, the smell is generally sultry, something like an Indian cafe filled with opium smoke.
Taste - not so typical CS, even by Bordeaux measure. It's heavy but not by meaning it's sweet, syropy, with high ABV. It's loaded with a lot of herbs, mint, tobacco, minerals, blackberry, as I mentioned above black coffee, red cherry, spice. How this crazy mix is still balanced, juicy, delicious is beyond my imagination.
Vivid acidity and dusty tannins. Long, dry finish.
WE - 91
RP - 90
JS - 90
Vinous - 90
ST - 90
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10/21/2023 - gtilley wrote:
Cooler profile cabernet - smoke, india ink, bell peppers. Good glass of wine. Nicely mature, ageing well, still has plenty of life.
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10/4/2023 - Patrickcro Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark red / ruby color. Clear. Soft, integrated tannins. Medium acidity. Nose of leather, cigar box, and mushrooms in addition to the dark cherry and plums. Balanced fruit flavors typical of Bordeaux. An excellent example of this vintage. This wine will not get better so i suggest drinking sooner rather than later, though it’s balance will assure that it is still good for 5 more years at least.
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8/19/2023 - laralh wrote: 87 Points
Lær, tobakk, cedertre, kirsebær. Bra lengde og fylde.
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6/24/2023 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 91 Points
375 at Bouchon . Opens up after an hr~.
Good and enjoyable now. Has a few more years.
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3/30/2023 - gtilley wrote:
Consistent with previous note, perhaps not a special occasion wine, but a lovely glass of classic claret. Red plums, cigar box, medium bodied with clean acidity.
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1/5/2023 - Bordeaux_Jon Likes this wine: 91 Points
From a 375mL
Initially sexy rolled tobacco and red fruits, this moved more towards cigar and earthy mature flavors with air. Compared to many other 2008 Pauillacs drank recently from 375 mLs, this seems more mature and in the secondary zone. I think it is peaking now for my taste and I wouldn't hold bottles much longer.
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10/19/2022 - gtilley wrote:
I enjoyed this a great deal. Opened a couple of hours prior but not decanted. As observed previously, it has the 2008 character of more savoury cool notes of dead leaves, coal, ink, rather than lush fruit, but it’s dense and not at all green or bitter. Quite serious. Drinking well.
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5/30/2022 - FransS wrote: 91 Points
Restaurant Zoldering Amsterdam-celebrating their Michelin star: 375 ml, a lovely deep and ripening colour, I guessed and guessed and thought Gevrey, finally I went from the right bank to the left.
The wine misses some personality, but is very gentle and friendly, still with flowers in the bouquet and a slightly elevated citrus.
The citrus shows on a gentle way the vintage '08. The finish is persistent and quite long and completely balanced.
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6/10/2021 - gtilley wrote:
On opening it has an immediate heady cigar box and cedar nose - an intersection between secondary and tertiary characters. On the palate it’s very structured - wet rocks and bell peppers - you can tell it lacks the full fruit of a ripe vintage, but has firm four square acid and tannins. That said it’s entirely classical and the fruit, muted though it is, is still silky. For lovers of old fashioned claret perhaps. No hurry to drink.
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3/18/2021 - Capt Cutlass Likes this wine: 90 Points
From 375mls with a crumbly cork. Bricking on rim. Inviting sweet, ripe plum nose with a dash of cedar. Very smooth but a bit short initially but widens with air time. This has seen more lively days but it’s smooth texture makes for easy, good drinking and there is enough complexity to show off its pedigree.
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12/22/2020 - alvinquah Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cassis, plum and dark cherry. Oak of vanilla and herb. Medium tannis and low alcohol. Sweetness is medium. Less complexity and body compared to 2009 that I have tried months back.
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8/19/2020 - maxima wrote: flawed
Bouchonnée!
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6/15/2020 - BcDuncan Likes this wine: 90 Points
perfect timing, good fruit great finish
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5/12/2020 - jskuek Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not the good display for d'Armailhac in 2008, classic Pauillac profiles but not complex, some minerals with some mints, herbaceous med+ acidity, med+ finishing. Try again in 3-5 years when tannin soften out
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4/18/2020 - laralh wrote: 87 Points
Solbær, grafitt, murstein. Medium fylde og lengde, litt lav på kompleksitet.
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2/6/2020 - winepog wrote: 91 Points
A big wine, this bottle was much better than my first. Dark and brooding, with fruit and tertiary flavors.
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9/30/2019 - gtilley wrote:
A good claret; on the dense, concentrated side, up the more herbaceous end of things (cool wet leaves, blackcurrant leaf) with a bit of chewiness on the tannins.
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9/1/2019 - winepog wrote: 88 Points
Dark and brooding. Maybe with grilled meats. But a little too chewy mouthfeel and a little too much barnyard. Very big. Not nuanced really. Strike one against the Bordeaux clan in the Burgundy / Bordeaux showdown.
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10/27/2018 - laralh wrote: 88 Points
Solbær, lær, litt jordbær og paprika. Fast og fin vin. God lengde og fylde.
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9/19/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
Herbal, minty and leafy with red fruits, medium body and a salty, red berry finish. The wine is a bit strict and the tannins stand out. Give it a few more years for the wine to soften and fill out.
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9/16/2018 - Christian von Dresky wrote: 86 Points
Am ersten Abend ganz ansprechend aber recht verschlossen, etwas spitze Säure und zu fünft nicht ausgetrunken. Am zweiten Tag nicht mehr erträglich. Deutlich überteuerter Wein.
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4/25/2018 - Winemaker51 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Recent review by Decanter indicated it´s drinkability now, and they are right. Tertiary aromas have developed, along with softer tannins. Cranberry to cherry aromas and fruit flavors are it´s base. Some leafy, herbal in the nose peaks out later on. A soft, elegant style that satisfies the Bordeaux crowd preferring elegance over concentration. Slight acid and green tannins that dissipate with food.
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3/2/2018 - vespasian wrote:
Aromas of cherry stones, blackcurrant leaf, undergrowth and dark minerals on the nose; medium body, clove tinged fruits, acidity is a bit gawky and sticks out. Not a lot of fruit on the palate. Quite slight and doesn’t last. Nose is the best thing about this.
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1/28/2018 - gtilley wrote:
Two bottles on one evening. Not the most expressive Pauillac in the world, but one bottle was definitely better in this respect. Benefits from a longish decant. Understated, but food friendly.
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6/9/2017 - VoteferPedro Likes this wine: 91 Points
drank at restaurant in NYC w Veal Chop
Delicious and ready for enjoyment
pop n pour
most '08s are drinking well right now
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4/21/2017 - Sean Tay wrote:
Youthful, nose of cassis, spices, cedar. High tannin. Tasted at Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
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7/26/2016 - Lord Rodney wrote: 89 Points
What a wonderful wine! It really surprised me with its red berry fruit and easy drinking style blended with a bit of classic tannin. A bit of a gem for the low price really.
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4/25/2016 - PleasureDrDrunks Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great wine, will still last several more years too!
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2/14/2016 - Solidgold Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted this for an hour. Not enough at all. Still high tannins with rough edges all over. The nose is a unique Pauillac blend with earthy and chives. Put it away for another hour and it did start to show some promises. This is definitely a sophisticated and well balanced wine and do need alot of time to hit the right note. At least another 5 years before my next bottle. Will be patiently waiting.
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10/4/2015 - kostaslonis wrote: 84 Points
Cellier Wine Fair (Hilton Athenaum Hotel): The nose is quite strange for such a fresh left bank Bordeaux. So brett infected, very medicinal, earthy and iodine, thin red cherry. This comes through in the palate, feels so strange after the Mas La Plana, the wine shows red berry, medicinal again, thin, med tannins, dry, red cherry and berry, some dry herbs and rather short finish.
Good quality (I’m still wondering if this could classify as faulty), drink yesterday
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9/3/2015 - The years of the grape wrote: 93 Points
Very satisfying, great combination of complexity, ageing and intensity.
On the nose you find still some sour cherry and black berry aromas, together with spicy, toasty and earthy character. In the palate it shows good strength, with a medium + body supported by medium + ripe tannins and still a nice acidity. I like its being defined and complex, filling, but at the same time not vulgar or over the top.
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12/7/2014 - impresario51 wrote: 89 Points
In the end disappointed - again. I've drunk a few of the 2008 over the last few years and none have held a candle to the 2006 I tried previously. Closed and undrinkable on opening, then opened up after 1+ hrs. decanted. Still a little thin and not much pleasantness on the finish, synthetic fruit and copper echoes. At this price point (I paid $39) I wouldn't buy/cellar any more.
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10/3/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Produced in a light and polite style, with cassis, cranberry and spice in the nose, this medium bodied Pauillac does not have the level of concentration found in the beautiful 2009 or 2010. It's a correctly made Pauillac, it's just a little light. It should drink well young.
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4/26/2014 - Collector1855 wrote: 91 Points
Commanderie de Bordeaux tasting/dinner. Dark purple. Expressive nose of black current, forest floor, pine. Medium bodied and very pleasant to drink now. Very good Pauillac typicity and elegance. A bit meager structurally, 2008 what can you say.
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10/20/2013 - aquaman wrote: 92 Points
Open n decante for 3 hours.. Open up nicely very little heat.. Very approcable now.. But a few years from now it should get better
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3/16/2013 - Fergus wrote: 91 Points
Its a nicely made wine. Drinks well at this age but would be better in a couple of years. Little restraint on the nose , black currants , some earthy notes and spiciness is obvious. Oak presence is nicely balanced. On the palate a little tartness followed by a good fruit concentration . Finish is medium to long . overall I liked this wine. Its medium body and juicy in style.
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2/13/2013 - OmiyaDrinker Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice floral nose with some cedar. Very creamy texture through front and mid-palate but thins out on the finish. I can see why I liked this at a tasting and bought some but seems a little one dimensional now. It feels like a 2009 cru-bourgeois for 1/2 the price would do the same job in the cellar...
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1/6/2013 - hubas wrote: 87 Points
Very fresh aroma and quite rough fruit. will probably need some food to soften it up but a very good wine indeed.
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10/8/2012 - stayhappy21 wrote: 91 Points
Tasted this during the Master Class with Baron- Philippe de Rothschild Chateaux @ St Regis, Singapore.
Wine is made up of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
Wine has lots of spice on the nose and on entry. Chewy tannins gave way to form a nice and beautiful complexion in the mouth. Elegant finish and lingering after taste.
A delicious wine.
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10/5/2012 - pclin wrote: 88 Points
Subtle nose. Notes of forest floor, cherry, and cassis. Not as exciting as 2009 vintage, relatively lighter in structure. Not very long finish. Fruits seems to be fading fast. 87-89 pts.
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9/4/2012 - HenrikJ Likes this wine: 90 Points
As always a fantastic aroma with loads of sandy/stony terroir associated aromas, play-dough and cassis. I can smell this for hours. Unfortunately the flavour doesn't deliver quite as much excitement. Slightly thinner than the best, still in balance with a good structure though. A very good wine all in all, would have been amazing with more depth to the flavour.
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7/8/2012 - mchiew wrote: 88 Points
very dark purple color which reveals its youthful age.
decanted for 1 hr, and drank over Wimbleton Men's Final . black currant, toasted oak, plum. pretty tight on the palate, with pencil lead, black currant and slightly dry tannin. drink pretty well now (after 1 hr decanting), overall a good structure bordeaux.
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3/11/2012 - gunpwdr wrote: 90 Points
After a recork and 2 days. Nose: Black currants, plum sauce, soy, black pepper, tobacco leaf, hint of gravel & pencil lead action. Palate: Currants, plums, smoke on the attack. Anise, soy, smooth tannins appear on the mid-palate. Soy, dark currants, and pencil lead linger on the medium finish.
Definitely still a worthwhile buy, but I wouldn't go beyond its current selling price. I would stash a few away for 3-5 years for that moment you want to revisit the 2008 vintage in the form of Pauillac.
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2/18/2012 - gunpwdr wrote: 90 Points
Nose: Dusty gravel, plums, black currants, soy, pencil lead, tobacco leaf, eucalytpus. Palate: Bold, ripe, and fleshy currants dominate the attack, but are also framed by pencil lead and rich soy sauce. Excellent transition to the mid-palate and through to the finish. Some may find the tannins a little too drying but their texture and fleshiness augur well for this wine's future potential.
While virtually all the attention has moved on to the 2009 and 2010 vintage, I would advise against overlooking 2008. All the futures I have have received and tasted thus far have shown enough material for this vintage to warrant further exploration and purchasing. This D'Armailhac is a delicious wine and represents its appellation very well.
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12/24/2011 - gcarrillo wrote: 90 Points
fruta roja, ligero aromas a cedro toques de cacao, taninos firmes y ligeramente asperos aun, de final medio con un futuro prometedor.
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11/2/2011 - jerry6 wrote: 87 Points
Needs time 3+ years before I'll open the next .
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10/18/2011 - Weston3220 wrote: 88 Points
Marquis Wine 25th Anniversary Tasting (Terminal City Club): Very Masculine [tho that is what Pauillac's are, are they not?]
Dark/Youthful, Red fruit, tannins are present, same with oak[coffee] and lots of Dark Chocolate
Conc: Very Young but as potential for sure, just needs time Or maybe a huge decant?
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9/17/2011 - MattTM wrote:
29% Merlot / 54% Cabernet Sauvignon / with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This comes across quite light and elegant on the nose, throwing off aromas of cherry and lavender. More herbs and floral characteristics on the palate, along with a good dose of lead pencil, asphalt, figs, and tart currants. Tannins are fairly soft, with a medium+ finish ending with a note of lead pencil. A touch soft for my liking. OK.
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9/16/2011 - LelouchViBritannia wrote:
A light weight and elegant wine, on the palate there is predominately some dirt, powdery tannin, and feels very earthy. Good but not my style, No score
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1/28/2011 - DRS-Inc wrote: 87 Points
Tasted at Zachy's Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux's 2008 Bordeaux Vintage Tasting @ Metropolitan Pavilion. Fruit-forward w/much sweet tannins & decent mix of acidity.
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1/28/2011 - ews3 wrote: 87 Points
Union des Grand Crus 2008 Bordeaux Tasting - NYC (Metropolitan Pavilion, NYC): red berry fruit dominates palate. ripe cherry. medium(-) finish.
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1/28/2011 - amateurwino wrote: 89 Points
Has quite a nice nose – kind of perfumey and floral, with a little bit of smoke. Very appealing, at least among the 08s tasted today. Palate is a bit light, a little tart and tomatoey. Not terrific, but has some beauty. 89
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1/28/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 88 Points
This medium bodied Bordeaux wine offers tobacco, earth and cherry notes in the perfume. Light in style, the wine shows some green flavors in the finish. Similar to Clerc Milon, the strong 2009 d'Armahillac remains the wine to buy. It's probably the best wine the property has ever produced. It's also one of the best values from the Medoc in an expensive vintage.
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1/26/2011 - hutch wrote: 88 Points
UGC Bordeaux Tasting (Boston): I thought this an improvement from the Clerc Milon, but am still not sure I'd pony up the money to buy it. 88-90
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1/25/2011 - lumpyelbow wrote:
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2008 (Toronto - The Four Seasons): UGC Event
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1/24/2011 - KeithAkers wrote: 88 Points
UGC 2008 Bordeaux (The Drake, Chicago IL): nose: very good and balanced nose of pencil lead, cedar, dark red cherries, red licorice, dark red fruits and spice box tones
taste: full bodied with big and chewy tannins along with tones of pencil lead, cedar, dark red cherries and spice box tones. Balanced, but the tannins are a bit much right now
overall: this is young, but also pretty typical for d'armailhac. this could use a few years to come together and fully balance out
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1/24/2011 - razmaspaz wrote:
UGC Chicago Bordeaux 2008 Vintage: very tannic, acid is tame, but finishes strong, red berries good but leaves me wanting, chalking it up to fatigue.
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1/22/2011 - Badfish wrote: 89 Points
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2008 Tasting (The Barker Hangar – Santa Monica, CA): There are lovely and complex aromas on the nose such as slate, currant, and berries. The palate is equally charming with restrained floral and herb driven fruit that shows tinges of dark berry character. This wine has great balance and approachability due to the deft structure.
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1/21/2011 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
Union Des Grand Cru of Bordeaux Tasting San Francisco, nose of red and black fruit, same on the palate, fairly fruit forward but light and simple fruit tasted today, OK wine to me, medium body, and medium finish.
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10/19/2010 - vespasian wrote: 90 Points
Nicely perfumed nose; elegant palate - not a big hitter. Good ripeness, well-made, supple. Medium term.
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8/31/2009 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
08 Château D’Armailhac offered hints of licorice with black fruit on the nose. Medium bodied with soft tannins and an easy going personality, it’s a wine to drink young. 87-89 Pts
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8/13/2009 - kostaslonis wrote: 86 Points
Trip to Bordeaux; 8/9/2009-8/14/2009: (tasted in chateau Mouton Rothschild) This is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon.29% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc.2% Petit Verdot. Beautiful purple color, dense nose with a lot of oak and toast. Quite fruity with a lot of tannins though. This will require at least 5 years before it will be ready. But still, it seems it will evolve into a fine wine.
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4/23/2009 - vespasian wrote: 91 Points
Stylish, lifted perfumed nose; lovely texture - great fruit and acidity. Nice palate. Lovely this year.
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4/23/2009 - Benj wrote:
Bordeaux 2008: First Glimpse (Averys, Bristol): 3.0-3.25. A little raw and green, blackcurrants and a little floral touch. Slightly burnt biscuit taste. Interesting, certainly, but not for me. A little thin, no mid-palate, quite poor finish.
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