Outstanding. Readers may remember that last year the '08 Combettes had not even started its malo at the time of my February visit (more than 16 months after the harvest!) and thus it was not rated. Well, I am very happy to report that it has turned out marvelously well with an ultra-fresh nose of mildly exotic yellow orchard fruit aromas trimmed in floral and wood components. There is excellent richness, size, weight and punch to the medium weight plus flavors that brim with dry extract that both coats the palate and buffers the very firm acidity on the driving, even explosive finish that is stunningly long. This is quite simply an extraordinary wine and it is not an exaggeration to say that the '08 is the best young Leflaive Combettes that I have ever seen.

Lovely lift and verve to the ripe pear and floral aromas. Deep, ripe and quite rich, with strong but well-integrated acidity nicely buffered by the wine's solid extract. Offers hints of lemon and orange as it opens in the glass. A rather powerful wine, and yet shows a reserved, even elegant, quality. Finishes classically dry, without the tannic impression of the Folatieres. (The Pucelles, which was barely halfway through its malo and not squeaky-clean at this stage, already showed compelling perfume and class and would appear to have even greater potential than the Combettes.)