2008 Beaulieu Vineyard "Georges de Latour Private Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SKU #1077372
94 points
Vinous
Dark, bright ruby-red, showing virtually no evolution at the rim. The nose offers complex, musky scents of dark plum, mocha and graphite, plus a suggestion of tobacco. At once compellingly generous, shapely and firm, this seamless wine is remarkably balanced for its extreme growing season, offering sound framing acidity and beautifully incorporated oak. The explosive finish deliver terrific energy and harmonious tannins. This gives pleasure now but should evolve in bottle for another 15 to 20 years. Incidentally, this was the first Georges de Latour made in Beaulieu's new dedicated facility. (ST)
(4/2019)
93 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This was the first vintage made in Beaulieu’s new winery, dedicated to Georges de Latour Private Reserve. Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, 40% of the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour was fermented in barrel. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 27 months. Deep garnet in color, the nose opens with earthy, dried herbs, smoked meats and tar notions over a core of warm plums, fallen leaves and blackcurrant cordial plus a touch of dried mulberries and cranberries. Full-bodied and packed to the gills with black fruit and earthy layers, it has a very firm, chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. (LPB)
(5/2019)
93 points
Wine Spectator
Impressive for its stylish delicacy, finesse and subtle details, this firm red offers complex loamy earth, cherry, currant and plum flavors that build and gain traction on the finish, where the tannins have a pleasing loamy edge.(JL)
(11/2011)
91 points
Connoisseurs Guide
Beaulieu has hit the gong again with its flagship bottling. Its ripeness and high oak may offend some, but they do not hide the wine's so very handsome Rutherford character with its reliance on currants, black cherry and sweet loam with, in this case, nuanced notes of tea leaf, sweet spice and rich soils. Full on the palate, supple and a touch fleshy in texture but never sloppy or hot, this wine is balanced at its heart and will make good use of its evident tannins to last a decade and more for those willing to allow it to reach its peak. *Two Stars*
(12/2011)
K&L Notes
93 points Robert Parker for Wine Advocate: "Another brilliant offering is the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color along with terrific structure, lots of creme de cassis, minerality, beautiful purity of black currants and cherries, a judicious touch of oak, and a full-bodied, structural profile that is almost Bordeaux-like. This complete, rich and promising effort should be a 25-30-year wine. Despite being owned by a huge international corporation, BV appears to be returning to the glorious form it exhibited in the fifties, sixties and early seventies. That was noticeable with several of the wines I reviewed last year." (12/2010)