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Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Thu, Nov 20, 2025 02:46 PM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: Bordeaux Red
Vintages: Between 1988 and 1988
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Gruaud Larose |
1988 |
St. Julien  |
$109 |
1 |
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WA 89 (5/1993): The 1988 is probably a 30-year wine. Extremely hard and backward, but concentrated, long, and full-bodied, it reminded me of the 1975, only less savage. Let's hope the fruit holds up. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.
MB [***[*]] (1/2000): Dumb, tannic and bitter in April 1989 but 12 months later I noted Gruaud's characteristic fruit, chunky and, of course, tannic. IN 1994 opening avertical tasting at the chateau: bouquet now rich, ripe and spicy, complete but very tannic. Almost identical notes three years later. Will be a good mouthful, but unlikely to throw off the underpinning tanning. Drink 2007-2014. |
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| Ch. Margaux |
1988 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$7,185.97 |
1 |
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WS 95 (12/2013): This has both sinew and flesh, with taut dried red currant, blackberry and plum skin notes that are forced to expand outward as the core of black tea, charcoal, plum paste and dark humus fills in quickly behind them. The charcoal-tinged grip carries the finish, with more bass than treble at first, but there's perfume here as well. Seriously long and the most overlooked of the truly great vintages here.—Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2025.
MB [**[**]] (11/2000): Tasting at the chateau in April 1989, Paul Pontallier informed us that the vines, from July 1988 were under stress which slowed their maturity. The vat sample was opaque, with intense violet rim; fragrant with fruit and spicy new oak. It was bottled late August- early September 1990 and I next tasted it mid-October. Still very spicy but lovely. At Manfred Wagner's first vertical in 1997, the '88, a double magnum (which we drank in our 'light lunch' break) had what I call an 'Italianate' nose, still very spicy and oaky; fairly sweet, a big, fruity, tannic wine. The following July it was Penning-Rowsell's turn, this time alongside its peers: crisp fruit, developing a scent which reminded me of a wet retriever after a day on the moors (actually I don't shoot, but was brought up on the now notorious Saddleworth Moor in Yorkshire). Delicious on the palate, with an interesting texture. I happened to be at Margaux, with friends, at vintage time, September 1998, lunching at a long table with the pickers. However, our simple but hearty fare was craftily supplemented with bottles of the '88. Though unready, with loads of grip, it 'went down a treat'. Most recently, noted at Wagner's second Margaux vertical: still pretty deep; crisp and fragrant, its nose this time reminding me not of damp dogs but thoroughbred stables (I don't ride these days either; but you know what I mean). What did surprise me was that it was softer and more fragrant than I had expected, though lean and astringent after the '89. Nevertheless, a very good wine with considerable length, and future. Possibly 5-star when fully mature. Try 2010-2020.
JS 93 (1/2011): Mineral and blueberry skin and flowers on the nose. It's full-bodied with minerals and silky tannins. Dusty and very pretty. Refined finish. I remember this being harder but it's finally coming around.
WA 93 (10/2016): The 1988 Chateau Margaux is a wine that was always overshadowed by the succeeding pair of vintages and like many 1988s, appeared rather conservative and lacked flair. However, I was gobsmacked by the performance of this wine at 28 years of age. Deep and clean in color, the bouquet is quintessentially Chateau Margaux with blackberry, potpourri, cedar and violets. It has wonderful clarity. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh as a daisy on the entry with a killer line of acidity that offsets those vibrant black and red fruits. There is energy here, vivacity, as if this Château Margaux suddenly realized its true potential after all these years. While it does not possess the length of the 1989 or 1990, there is such pleasure bound into this wine that you care little about that. Maybe I underestimated this wine for many years or perhaps it is a simple case of a "late bloomer." While the 1988 might not belong in the top echelons of releases from this First Growth, it might be considered the undiscovered gem of that prosperous decade for the chateau. |
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