The 2008 Les Carmes Haut-Brion, which predates the acquisition by the Pichet family, has an expressive and quite complex bouquet compared to its peers, full of red and black fruit, crushed rose petal and orange blossom. This is very attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, crisp acidity, clean and precise with more red than black fruit surfacing towards the finish. I appreciate the energy of this wine after ten years and the salinity than marks the aftertaste. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners' 10-Year On tasting.

A fresh, accessible style, showing a beam of bright raspberry and mulled cherry fruit laid easily over hints of lilac and pebble, which give this just enough grip on the finish. Drink now through 2013. 2,250 cases made.

Floral wine, light in structure with some freshness. It's attractive, open, the tannins giving shape rather than aging potential.

Slightly shorter and less impressive than it was from barrel, the very good 2008 is a mid-weight Graves revealing a dark plum/garnet color along with sweet earthy, herbal, tobacco leaf, sweet and sour cherry and crushed rock characteristics. This medium-bodied, spicy 2008 tails off in the mouth. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.