Great Pauillacs Released

Today sees the release of two great Pauillac properties. Pichon Lalande and Lynch Bages have been firm favourites amongst Claret lovers. The quality is always high and (relative to the First Growths) they offer great value for money. These are serious Pauillacs, with real breed and history.

Robert Parker hasn't released his notes yet, but has made several references to the 2008 on the Bulletin Board. Please find an excerpt below.

`Something to keep in perspective....before this economic crisis...2005 first growths were hitting $10,000 per 12 bottle case....if 2008 firsts end up costing the consumer approx. $2,500 per case...that is a bargain...even if the economy is in the crapper....high quality, small production....I think they will sell very well if that scenario unfolds...in short, I expected the firsts to be higher in price, but Latour has broken the golden egg....to the benefit of the drinker/consumer....I was beginning to think I was too old to buy futures of 2008s....but at those prices....I am a player…`

Château Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac

The Rothschilds

It's been anoher busy day in Bordeaux. The highlight is the staggeringly gorgeous l`Evangile. This wine is amongst the very finest in Pomerol. We were blown away by the complexity, charm and style of the 2008. A very smart wine which gets the J&B thumbs up. Two other Lafite Rothschild wines have also been released today - Duhart Milon and Rieussec. Both look very good buys… Not to be left out, the other Rothschilds (the Moutons) have also released d`Armailhac, Clerc Milon and Petit Mouton. The Mouton stable continues to impress... Château L’Evangile, Pomerol

The Bartons

How does one trump yesterday's releases of Latour and Forts de Latour. Well in truth one can't, but we can now offer Anthony Barton's excellent wines. Leoville and Langoa Barton are, as ever, absolutely stunning. At £330 per case for the Leoville and £245 per case for the Langoa, these are very serious wines at very good prices. Although it's early days, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that these will be two of the best value buys from the 2008 campaign.

Château Léoville-Barton, 2ème Cru Classé, St. Julien

Château Langoa-Barton, 3ème Cru Classé, St. Julien

The first of the Firsts

This is a topsy turvy campaign, and it's only just started. Following last week's releases from Pomerol and St Emilion come the 2008 Chateau Latour and Les Forts de Latour. The Chateau have decided to reduce prices dramatically and these two look set to sell out very quickly. This could be a record breaking campaign if this pace continues; expect more releases in the next few days...

Les Forts de Latour, second wine of Latour