Crus Classés 2011-2008 compared

Yesterday's release of Pontet-Canet 2011 at a price dramatically reduced from the level of the 2010 was the first real runaway success of the campaign (£720 a dozen now constitutes a bargain apparently). Owner Alfred Tesseron announced the price early yesterday morning before flying to London for the Bibendum tasting. By the time he had landed at Gatwick, all of the wine allocated had been sold to the Tesseron-favoured Bordeaux négociants (see for How the most expensive vintage ever was sold for how primeur releases work). But how good a wine is it?

Every year a group of Bordeaux...