2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
This was the first vintage made in Beaulieu’s new winery, dedicated to Georges de Latour Private Reserve. Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, 40% of the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour was fermented in barrel. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 27 months. Deep garnet in color, the nose opens with earthy, dried herbs, smoked meats and tar notions over a core of warm plums, fallen leaves and blackcurrant cordial plus a touch of dried mulberries and cranberries. Full-bodied and packed to the gills with black fruit and earthy layers, it has a very firm, chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
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.
About the producer
Beaulieu Vineyard remains one of the most historically important wineries in Napa Valley. It is it one of the longest continuous running wineries in the region, as one of the few that kept operating throughout Prohibition.