2008 Red Wine

Decanter, 98 points: This takes a heartbeat to kick in, and then the weight and impact of this wine slowly kicks in. Those Cabernets have lift and punch, and although it's not ethereal like the Ausone or even the Lafite, it has power...

jamessuckling.com, 93 points: Aromas of dried cherries and plums with hints of flowers follow through to a full body with velvety tannins and a juicy, meaty, fruity aftertaste. Turns to chocolate powder as well. Drink or hold.

Vinous, 94 points: Vega Sicilia’s 2008 Tinto Valbuena 5 Anos is compelling. A young, intense wine, the 2008 is going to need significant time to fully come together, but it boasts superb depth, persistence and a total sense of harmony...

Vinous, 91 points: Good bright red-ruby. Sexy, pure aromas of dark cherry, rose and violet. Juicy, delicate and penetrating, with pinot-like weight and sappiness. Displays a captivating sweetness without any loss of energy. Finishes long...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The Raphet 2008 Chambertin Clos de Beze smells alluringly of ripe dark cherry, licorice, ginger, blond tobacco, and hyacinth. Supple and tender, loaded with lightly-cooked cherry yet preserving a vintage-typical fruit...

Burghound, 92 points: (BH90-92 points) A discreet touch of wood frames fresh red pinot and raspberry fruit aromas trimmed in noticeable warm earth nuances that continue onto the sappy and highly accessible middle weight flavors that are...

Vinous, 96 points: The 2008 La Mission Haut-Brion has an open, feisty, lively bouquet with blackberry, briary, cedar, black olive and a light seaweed (Japanese nori) aroma. This is wonderful, an intoxicating bouquet. The palate is...

Vinous, 93 points: In 2008, Quintarelli did not bottle Amarone, but instead chose to declassify the juice into Rosso del Bepi. Fragrant and expressive, with a good deal of aromatic nuance, the Rosso is a terrific choice for readers who want...

Burghound, 91 points: Classic ruby. An intensely sauvage, cool and relatively airy red currant suffused nose that is also distinctly mineral-inflected leads to solidly structured and overtly muscular flavors that finish with some dryness...

Vinous, 94 points: A dark, super-ripe wine, the 2008 Valpolicella Superiore is fabulous in this vintage. Smoke, tar, incense, licorice and blackberry jam hit the palate in a massive, intense Valpolicella loaded with class and personality...

Burghound, 93 points: (BH90-93 points) This is also elegant, pure and broadly aromatic with hints of earth, underbrush and a touch of the sauvage adding nuance to the red currant and violet notes that introduce rich and rather serious...

jamessuckling.com, 99 points: This is one of the most balanced and harmonious Monfortinos that I ever tasted. Aromas of dried rose petals and oranges. It's full-bodied yet compacted and tight. Tannins are perfectly managed. It makes you want to drink...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 98 points: A candidate for the -wine of the vintage- the 2008 should have been purchased before it began to soar in value because of the significance of the number 8 in the Chinese culture (denoting good luck). Representing 40% of...

Vinous, 91 points: Bright ruby. Sappy and tightly focused raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of cinnamon and allspice. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, which offers sexy red berry preserve and floral flavors, with a...