2008 vintage

[ste667]

Next year is our ten year anniversary and I feel a bit more inclined to take a risk with an auction purchase or two for the celebrations.

Does anyone have a particular favourite from that year? Red, white or bubbles considered

 

[Daver6]

2008 was an excellent vintage in Champagne. Best of all you don't need to risk auction as the 2008s are still on the market and some yet to be released.

Otherwise, 2008 was good in Margaret River for both reds and whites and a pretty stellar red vintage in SA too.

Bordeaux was an alright vintage for reds. Over shadowed by 2009 and 2010 but still pretty decent on the whole.

 

[boomy]

I wouldn't recommend buying wine on auctions. As someone who bought and sold wine online I can tell you there is absolutely ZERO quality control when buying from auction so you may pay big bucks and end up drinking vinegar that wasn't stored properly.

 

[ripsnorta]

2008 was an excellent vintage in Champagne. Best of all you don't need to risk auction as the 2008s are still on the market and some yet to be released.

a pretty stellar red vintage in SA too.

Apparently 2008 was a mixed vintage in SA due to a heatwave during the harvest. The grapes that came in before the heatwave were excellent but a lot didn't make it in time. There are some great 2008's reds around, particularly from the flagship wines which could pick and choose their grapes.

 

[redbigot]

Otherwise, 2008 ... a pretty stellar red vintage in SA too.

I wouldn't call it stellar, very dependant on region and the producer getting ripe fruit in before the heat wave.
[h=3]2008[/h][FONT=&quot]An extremely hot year wreaked havoc with reds, but the earlier picked whites look to be good quality, and the Barossa’s oldest vines weathered the heat as they always have done. [/FONT]

2008 vintage guide for Red Australia - Decanter

 

[Daver6]

Seems I am mistaken on that one.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Seems I am mistaken on that one.

Am I reading that sentence correctly?

From what I read, Barolo was very good for 2008.

https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/barolo-whats-so-great-about-2008

 

[Daver6]

Am I reading that sentence correctly?

Best I contact the admins. My account must have been compromised and some nasty hacker posting untruths

 

[TheRealTMA]

Best I contact the admins. My account must have been compromised and some nasty hacker posting untruths

Ah! That explains all! I was very worried for a mo'.

 

[kamchatsky]

Just go for Penfolds Grange 2008 .....

2008 Penfolds Grange - The Best Ever?

 

[ste667]

2008 was an excellent vintage in Champagne. Best of all you don't need to risk auction as the 2008s are still on the market and some yet to be released.

Is the Moet Grand Vintage 2008 a safe bet?

 

[Wozza]

Just checked my CellarTracker tasting notes and found I was most fond on these 2008s:

- Grant Burge Mesach Shiraz
- Two Hands Coach House Block Shiraz
- Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cab Blend
- Hemera Estate Tier 1 Shiraz

All big, young wines. But approachable enough to enjoy at 10 years.

The Meshach has so many smokey, sultry layers. That would be a strong recommendation from me if you like your Reds big. If you want to really push the boat out, I've even had a 2008 Grange that was pretty special, even so young.

If you like a lighter style of Red, then some top end Pinots will be right in their purple patch at 10 years. I've not had many, but found the Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir was a beautiful wine.

For something a bit different, I'd also recommend the Chateau Musar Gaston Hochar. A complex, powerful French Red that gives its posher Bordeaux siblings a run for their money.

Also from France, a quality Meursault (White Burgundy) and a quality Cote Rotie would be worth hunting out. Langtons might be able to help.

Hope that slightly helps.

Happy deciding and hunting.

Cheers, Wozza

 

[TheRealTMA]

Just go for Penfolds Grange 2008 .....

2008 Penfolds Grange - The Best Ever?

Too early to drink yet!

 

[Daver6]

Is the Moet Grand Vintage 2008 a safe bet?

Probably. I say that because a) I've not had it and b) I'm not the biggest Moet fan.

I'd pick the Pol Roger or even Veuve Clicquot 2008. Actually had the 2004 Veuve Clicquot rose on the weekend and was really impressed. A rather serious rose that was drinking extremely well.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I wouldn't recommend buying wine on auctions. As someone who bought and sold wine online I can tell you there is absolutely ZERO quality control when buying from auction so you may pay big bucks and end up drinking vinegar that wasn't stored properly.

In my experience, buying $100+ wines, they've usually been stored correctly. Most people selling that sort of wine take their wines seriously. If it were a 30 year old wine, then maybe they inherited a collection that's been variably stored, but at 10yo (especially under screwcap), you're generally safe. Buy 2-3 different ones if you want to protect yourself.

Otherwise, go retail, and get something direct via Langtons or D'Or to Door (or even Dan Murphys or Nicks). Have had zero duds buying retail - 2008 is still pretty young for good quality wine.

A few top 2008s from the past 24 months for me:
- McWilliam's 1877 Shiraz Cab
- d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz
- Fontanafreddo Serralunga d'Alba
- Hewitson Private Cellar Shiraz Mouvedre

The aforementioned Chateau Musar was also quite good (and quite an intriguing little wine).

Personally, I'd get in touch with Langtons or D'Or to Door to sus out your options for stuff you can buy right away. If you're not in a hurry, then check the auction scene.

 

[mathiex]

Vueve Cliquot also have a good 2008 vintage.

 

[boomy]

In my experience, buying $100+ wines, they've usually been stored correctly. Most people selling that sort of wine take their wines seriously. If it were a 30 year old wine, then maybe they inherited a collection that's been variably stored, but at 10yo (especially under screwcap), you're generally safe. Buy 2-3 different ones if you want to protect yourself.

Otherwise, go retail, and get something direct via Langtons or D'Or to Door (or even Dan Murphys or Nicks). Have had zero duds buying retail - 2008 is still pretty young for good quality wine.

A few top 2008s from the past 24 months for me:
- McWilliam's 1877 Shiraz Cab
- d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz
- Fontanafreddo Serralunga d'Alba
- Hewitson Private Cellar Shiraz Mouvedre

The aforementioned Chateau Musar was also quite good (and quite an intriguing little wine).

Personally, I'd get in touch with Langtons or D'Or to Door to sus out your options for stuff you can buy right away. If you're not in a hurry, then check the auction scene.

You know, it doesn't happen until it happens... Agree most sellers are genuine but you only need one who didn't store their wine properly and good luck chasing your money back.
Auctions are a gamble, no one knows where the wine is coming from so need to be careful. Spending few hundreds is ok but I wouldn't risk too much.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

You know, it doesn't happen until it happens... Agree most sellers are genuine but you only need one who didn't store their wine properly and good luck chasing your money back.

I think you have to go into this knowing that you're going to be throwing away some of your purchases. Just factor that into the prices you're paying.

 

[ste667]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated.

Sounds like a good champagne and then 2 or 3 auction buys (I have an 08 Voyager Estate and HP Abercrombie already) and we should be covered for the weekend

 

[unfunkable]

Let me know what champagne you decide on.
Our's is also 10 next year