The 2008 Romer du Hayot did not show well at primeur, but I detected some potential if it coalesced during elevage, and so it turned out to be. There is a slight reduction on the nose, but it blows away nicely to reveal scents of beeswax and honeycomb, and a touch of chlorophyll that might be accentuated with time. The palate is well-balanced with good acidity, slightly viscous in texture, with hints of orange peel and dried mango dovetailing into a spicy, well-defined, taut finish. Drink now-2030.

Lightly botrytised fruit and nice freshness. There is very clean pure fruit here and light concentration. A definite improvement on past form.

89-91 Barrel sample. Very ripe, gold character wine, the fruit rich, almost toffee, ripe, sweet. The wine has a nectar quality, but the acidity gives it a final fresh lift.——R.V.(12/31/2009)—— 90