Skip to content

Fine Wine Daily (FWD) » Fine Wine Daily:2011-04-27 (Chateau Barde-Haut 2008, Good Value Cellar-Worthy Bordeaux)

 

Fine Wine Daily:2011-04-27 (Chateau Barde-Haut 2008, Good Value Cellar-Worthy Bordeaux)

by Dan Hertz on April 27th, 2011

Categories: Fine Wine Daily (FWD) | Fine Wine Report (FWR) | Wine and Spirits

Summary: The Château Barde-Haut 2008, a rich, cellar-worthy red from Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux, France).

It was great to visit Barde-Haut in particular—a dramatically amphitheatrical site just down from Troplong-Mondot and set back from Tertre-Roteboeuf. It’s a site that needs, Hélène said, a lot of tweaking to get right, but with great potential. (Andrew Jefford, andrewjefford.com)

If you’re looking for a value-oriented wine for your cellar, try the recently released 2008 Chateau Barde-Haut from Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux, France).

The 2008 vintage was good for both the right and left bank Bordeaux (4 stars, Decanter; 92pts, eRobertParker.com, 87-90pts Wine Spectator), and compared to the 05s and 09s, offer decent bargains.

Purchased by Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard in 2000, the estate—located next to the Troplong-Mondot and La Mondotte—is on an upswing: new methods by consulting oenologist Dr. Alain Raynaud, have brought consistency and depth to the wine. Expect a jammy backberry/dark-fruit-inspired red with hints of spice.

The family also owns Clos L’Eglise in Pomerol, Château Haut-Bergey and Château Branon in Pessac Léognan, and the Argentinian Bodega Poesia and Clos des Andes labels.

Reviews, Technical Information and a Video follow.

Reviews: Château Barde-Haut 2008

Château Barde-Haut 2008, a rich, cellar-worthy red from Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux, France)

This is a step up. Ripe and polished, with lots of blackberry, plum sauce and melted black licorice notes that are carried by dense but velvety tannins. Extra anise, violet and incense notes push through the vivid finish, where there’s plenty of buried grip. A strong showing. Best from 2013 through 2019. 3,500 cases made. (92 points, $33, James Molesworth, WineSpectator.com Daily Picks, 2011-04-20)

This beautiful, luscious, sensual St.-Emilion exhibits a deep purple color as well as a sumptuous nose of ink, graphite, blackberries, and cassis. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, admirable concentration, and a long, velvety finish, this superb, fairly priced 2008 is worth checking out. It should drink well for 12-15 years. (91-93 points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, #182, 2009-04-30)

Inky ruby. Initially reticent nose opens slowly to hint at plum, coffee and game. Sweet and full on entry, even fat, offering rich plum and coffee flavors. Then finishes slightly austere, with a bit of warmth. This lovely estate is situated on the border between Saint-Emilion and Saint Christophe des Bardes, with vines planted on limestone and clay over hard rock. As the merlot on calcareous soil tends to resemble cabernet, insiders know that Barde-Haut tends to be tight and austere at this early stage of its development. In a few years my score may look ungenerous. (88-91 points, Ian D’Agata, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, 2009-05)

Pure cassis nose and plenty of oak spice. Dense and grippy. A powerhouse but fine-grained and fresh. Drink 2013-18 (17 points, Julia Harding MW, 2009-04-15)

Deep colour. Rich, dense fruit. Supple, layered texture. Tannins ripe, firm and long. Drink 2015-2025. (4 stars/16.5 points, Decanter.com, 2009-04)

Availability

LA Area

SF/Oakland Area

Chicago

NYC Area

Canada

Technical Information

Château Barde-Haut

Owner: Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard

Appellation: A.O.C, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Production: 40 000 bottles

Surface area in production: 16 ha

Soil: Clay and calcareous

Grape varieties: 85% Merlot / 15% Cabernet Franc

Average vine age: 35 years

Ageing and barrels: 18 months, 100% new french oak barrels

 

Barde-Haut Winery Video

 

Video source: JJ Buckley Fine Wines

Bottleshot and info: Château Barde-Haut

 
Share with Friends:

Comments are closed.