2008 Château Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse)

The beautiful 2008 Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse is one of the younger, more vibrant wines in the appellation. Cassis, underbrush, white truffle, olives, and floral notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, elegant, seamless 2008 that has real class. It can be enjoyed any time over the coming decade or more.

Tasted blind. Mellow, evolved nose with some sweet ripeness on the palate. Still quite a bit of fine tannin and marked acidity. Bit too tart. (JR)

The 2008 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is evolving into one of the standout wines of the vintage. From a modest showing in barrel, it seemed to improve when I last tasted it in 2012 and now at a decade old, it has upped the ante further. Intense wild strawberry and blackberry notes struck through with minerals and graphite, all beautifully defined and immediately take you aback and yet you know there is much more to come. The palate is very well balanced with a firm but not imposing structure. The acidity is beautifully judged and it counterbalances the impressive fruit concentration, whilst there is a killer sorbet-like freshness on the finish that leaves the mouth tingling. Sometimes this Saint Émilion can surpass your expectations and whilst the 2008 might not be as spectacular as the 1990, it is one of the hidden gems of the vintage. (Tasted at the château.)