Chateau Hosanna, Pomerol 2008

Possibly as remarkable as both the 2009 and 2010, the 2008 Hosanna is one of the superstars of the vintage. Its dense plum/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of spring flowers, black currants, boysenberries, white chocolate and forest floor. This irresistible, opulent, textured, fleshy 2008 should continue to drink well for 15-20+ years. don't miss it!

Lovely nose of Merlot with milk chocolate and raspberry aromas. Lots of mineral character too, but subtle. Full body, with fine and silky tannins and an already delicious dark chocolate and berry aftertaste. Balanced and pretty. Give it two or three years. Hard not to drink now.

Bright, full ruby. Enticing aromas of raspberry, black cherry, meat and spices, complicated by fresh minerality. Suave and stylish, with a lush texture and very rich, deep flavors of dark fruits and chocolate lifted by an intense floral component. Persistent and perfumed on the very long, smooth finish. A large-scaled Hosanna with outstanding potential.

Dark ruby-purple. Closed nose hints at blackcurrant, blueberry, meat and game. Massively rich wine, featuring ripe black fruit flavors, tobacco and sweet spices. Finishes very long and seamless, with silky tannins. Though Christian Moueix has told me he considers Hosanna a feminine wine compared to the more masculine Petrus, this year's version is a female who has been hitting the weight room.

The 2008 Hosanna comes from an era when I found Christian Moueix’s cru too heady for my personal taste. It felt as if it was always trying too hard. Now at a decade old, it has a ripe and quite concentrated bouquet with black cherry and menthol aromas, opulent compared to more recent vintages and perhaps not quite as complex. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe and rounded tannin, concentrated and opulent in style, brash but missing the finesse that Christian Moueix has imparted in more recent vintages. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)