2008 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve

Dark, bright ruby-red, showing virtually no evolution at the rim. The nose offers complex, musky scents of dark plum, mocha and graphite, plus a suggestion of tobacco. At once compellingly generous, shapely and firm, this seamless wine is remarkably balanced for its extreme growing season, offering sound framing acidity and beautifully incorporated oak. The explosive finish deliver terrific energy and harmonious tannins. This gives pleasure now but should evolve in bottle for another 15 to 20 years. Incidentally, this was the first Georges de Latour made in Beaulieu's new dedicated facility. (15.3% alcohol; 3.7 pH; 6.3 g/l acidity; aged in 100% new French oak for 27 months)

(15.3% alcohol): Bright medium ruby. Slightly port-like ripeness to the aromas of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, mocha and roast coffee. Big and mouthfilling, but with some slightly intrusive notes of roasted oak and dried fruit, not to mention an element of peppery herbs. Rich but not particularly sweet, with the tannins lightly dusting the front teeth. The slight exotic wood character and suggestion of roasted berries limit the wine's complexity. I'm not optimistic for further positive evolution in bottle but this wine should certainly last well. A second, very similar bottle also displayed an element of roasted overripeness, as well as truffle and pepper notes. I recall finding this wine much more harmonious at the beginning.