Margaux Cuvée 3D 2008
At first glance it is perhaps easy to overlook the 2008 vintage, given the hype about the 2009 and 2010 vintages. It will remain in the memory as a year of particularly changeable weather. Following a cool and wet spring which included some late frost, the weather finally began to improve in June with the vegetative cycle already two weeks behind.
July was dry and sunny, though August was compounded by a lack of sunshine which suggested a tricky vintage. However, for the second time in two years, a magnificent Indian summer that began on 14th of September and continued through until the 20th of October gave cause for optimism. It was pronounced a good to excellent vintage with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins.
Your exclusive Margaux Cuvée 3D 2008 is made from a blend of hand harvested Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Merlot (30%) grapes, which underwent gentle extraction and fermentation in special temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine was then aged for around 16 months in ten different types of top-quality French oak barriques, 50% of which were new, imparting richness, mouthfeel and a spicy complexity to the final blend.
It is medium purple/ruby in colour with cassis and toasty oak on the nose. The palate has freshness, with savoury blackcurrant and damson fruit backed up by a supple, juicy tannic structure. A delightful food wine, try this with medium rare rack of lamb with broad bean and gratin dauphinoise potatoes and a tomato and rosemary jus. As it matures, try it with seared breast of duck or braised partridge - superb! You can lay your 2008 vintage down until around 2016/18 should you wish
Bordeaux Regional ‘Red Over £10’ Trophy-winner – Decanter World Wine Awards 2009