A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2008 exhibits graphite, sandalwood, black and red currant, chocolate and damp earth characteristics in its elegant, medium to full-bodied, fresh, lively personality. It is a delicious, luscious, already evolved wine to drink over the next 15+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #194, May 2011)

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. The nose is more ostentatious than its peers, lifted blackberry, cassis and cedar aromas, a more hedonistic Pauillac along not dissimilar lines to Pontet Canet? The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins on the entry. Supple in the mouth, very smooth and seductive with a seamless finish. There is a touch of hickory developing on the aftertaste. Very fine and better than I expected given previous encounters. Tasted January 2012.

– eRobertParker.com, Mar 2012

I like the core of fruit and cedary, berry and plum character. It’s full bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a racy finish. Very well done for Carruades. Best after 2013.

Quality 717 | Brand 890 | Economics 927 | buzz brand
Quality: Below the average quality score of its peer group for the 2008 vintage, 761 Brand: One of the most talked-about wines by the fine wine trade, with mention frequency in the top 20% in Wine Lister's proprietary Founding Member survey Economics: Above its peer group average price of £90 for the 2008 vintage Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 151,058 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017