The 2008 has soft berry fruits, cold ash, tobacco, smoky cigar notes, great balance and finesse. Melted tannins that are ready to drink, with chocolate and liqourice filling out the frame in the mid-palate, and gentle black pepper spice on the finish. This was the vintage where serious cellar improvements began, with the addition of small stainless steel vats to allow more plot by plot selection. 50% new oak.

As I predicted from barrel this stunning effort is a wine to buy by the case. Its opaque ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of graphite barbecue smoke blackberries and black currants. The full-bodied textured 2008 Saint-Pierre reveals a skyscraper-like mouthfeel along with tremendous viscosity and unctuosity. One of the richest and potentially longest-lived 2008s it is a fabulous sleeper of the vintage. Drink it over the next 20+ years.

At 40 acres Saint-Pierre is small for the Médoc but it is certainly performing well. As fine as the 2005 the 2008 is a stylish wine that also packs a firm punch of dense fruit firm tannins and mouthwateringly juicy acidity. For medium-term aging.