Source: M. Scheuermann, Planet Bordeaux

Chateau Lafite Rothschild's 2008 bottle is to feature the Chinese symbol for the figure eight in celebration of the First Growth's new vineyard venture in China. The symbol, which is considered especially lucky in China, will be on every bottle and magnum of Lafite 2008. A spokesperson for Lafite owner Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) said she did not know what impact the move might have on the value of Lafite 2008 in China. ‘The shape of the symbol seems to offer a perfect representation of the slopes of the vineyard and commemorates the launch of our Chinese wine project,’ the spokesperson added. ‘We wanted to remind all those who will have the pleasure of drinking these wines in a few years of this exciting undertaking.’ Lafite is in partnership with CITIC, China’s largest state-owned investment company, to develop 25ha of vines on the Penglai peninsula in China’s Shandong province. Some commentators have described the peninsula, about 800km north of Shanghai, as ‘China’s Bordeaux’. Meanwhile, speculation that Château Mouton-Rothschild might choose a Chinese artist to design the label for its 2008 vintage sent the wine’s value soaring in late 2009. Mouton is due to unveil its new label for 2008 at the end of this year. The figure eight is considered so auspicious in Chinese culture that huge sums of money are paid for telephone numbers made up only of the number, while the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics began precisely at eight minutes and eight seconds past 8pm, on 8 August 2008.

Source: Decanter

Lafite Rothschild 2008 overview by 90plus: As the prices still go up every day will it drop or keep rising after it's release?,...

http://www.90pluswines.com/Wine/16231042A08/Chateau--Lafite-Rothschild---Pauillac/2008.aspx

Find out where you can find winespectator's 2010 top 10 wines

 *90plus score: average score of professional wine critics

And winespectator's Wine Of the year 2010 is,...

In 1998, when 28-year-old Justin Smith started making wine in Paso Robles, it was a sleepy Central Coast area. Now the wine region is one of California’s fastest-growing. West Paso has a magical combination of rocky limestone soils, rolling hillsides and a not-too-cool climate that gives red Rhône varieties a firm structure to frame their rich, dark berry flavors.

Smith, who owns the 3,000-case Saxum winery with his wife, Heather, creates wines of distinctive character, depth and personality. In 2007, a near-perfect vintage, Saxum’s wines reached new heights. The 2007 James Berry Vineyard Paso Robles is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah from a vineyard named after Smith’s father. The three varieties are aged 20 months in new and used barriques and large puncheons, to emphasize fruit purity. With its classic quality and reasonable price, this wine is a testament that Paso Robles has earned its place on the world stage.

source: Winespectator.com

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n°2 of Top 100: Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella’s Garden 2008 score: 94/100

Managing partner Michael Twelftree and winemaker Matt Wenk have found a winning formula with their Garden Series, an umbrella of six different Shiraz wines, each sourced from vineyards located in subappellations of South Australia. The Barossa bottling, Bella’s Garden, has reached the Top 100 a total of six times since its first release (the 2001 vintage). Wenk used 18 percent new French oak hogsheads, minimal fining and no filtration to produce this fresh-tasting, complex wine.

n°3 of Top 100: Peter Michael Chardonnay Sonoma County Ma Belle-Fille 2008 score: 97/100

Ma Belle-Fille is the youngest vineyard on the winery’s Knights Valley estate, as well as the highest, reaching an elevation of 1,900 feet, and is quickly becoming the winery’s best source for Chardonnay. It’s a cool location but situated above the summer fog line, allowing for excellent sun exposure. Winemaker Nick Morlet uses native yeast; the wine is 100 percent barrel-fermented in French oak.

n°4 of Top 100: Revana Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena 2007 score: 97/100

Houston cardiologist Madaiah Revana grew up in rural India, immigrated to America and caught the wine bug. In 1998, he planted 9 acres of grapes north of St. Helena, across Highway 29 from Grace Family. This 2007 is Revana’s best effort to date. Winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett ferments small lots and ages them separately for 20 months in French oak (40 percent new) before making the final blend of 92 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

 Altamura comes from one of the least-known corners of Napa, a small, remote area called Wooden Valley. Northeast of the city of Napa, this area is distinguished by a dramatic fog bank and cooler climate, and subsequently a longer growing season; temperatures here can be as many as 10 degrees lower than the Napa Valley average. Frank and Karen Altamura started planting grapes on their 400-acre family ranch in 1985. They also make Sangiovese and Sauvignon.

source: Winespectator.com

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 Paul Hobbs made this exceptional Pinot Noir in a tricky year and made it in considerable volume, a challenge to most vintners. Hobbs founded his own label in 1991, but also consults for dozens of clients in California, Argentina, Chile and Hungary. This bottling is one of six different 2008 California Pinot Noirs from Hobbs; the grapes for this one come from six vineyards in Russian River Valley, including the Lindsey Estate, Valdez and Walker Station

source: Winespectator.com

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N°8 of Top 100: Fontodi, Flaccianello  2007 95/100

The area around Fontodi’s property in Panzano is known as the Conca d’Oro, or Golden Shell, for its heat-trapping amphitheater shape, excellent for ripening grapes. Flaccianello, 100 percent Sangiovese, is a selection of the estate’s best grapes. The 2007 was fermented in stainless steel, transferred to oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aged in new French oak for 18 months. This is the third Top 10 appearance for Flaccianello and owner Giovanni Manetti this decade. 

Source: Winespectator.com

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