Pessac-Léognan was another commune
showing brightly this vintage with many wines of refined complexity and depth.
Not as rich expression as one could expect from such a vintage and the wines
are elegant more or less across the board. Bouscaut made one of their finest
reds to date, Domaine de Chevalier as well and Haut-Bailly, Haut-Brion and La
Mission Haut-Brion truly exceptional. Latour-Martillac seems to be stepping up
their game, same with Malartic Lagraviere. Larrivet Haut-Brion probably made
their finest to date. Smith Haut Lafite was also truly impressive. But you
can’t buy blindfolded. Carbonnieux was a bit austere, it could have been the
sample, I did not get to retaste it, but hopefully will during Vinexpo in about
a week’s time. Fieuzal also seemed to struggle, again, could be the sample,
could be the frost damage from last year still taking its toll.
The whites was generally better and
more refreshing than anticipated and they are livelier than some of the quite
fat 2015’s, even if they might seem low in acidity if you like them
mouthwatering. I generally found that the freshness balanced the body and
texture as well as concentration pretty well. In some PH might be a bit high
for long time cellaring but for the next five to ten years, most should drink
very well.
2018 Château Bouscaut
MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries,
anise, liquorice, minerals, floral notes, detailed and layered nose. Gorgeous.
Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark and red fruits, layers, again these floral
high notes, nuanced, superb fruit quality, long. 92-94
2018 Château Bouscaut blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Lemons,
citrus, minerals, vanilla, some spices, detailed nose. Faintly tropical. Fresh
acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, some bitter notes, detailed, long. 89-91
2018 Château Brown
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
some spices, floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity,
anise, spices, juicy, impressive Brown. 90-92
2018 Château Brown blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
grapefruits, some spices and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, some
lemons, elegant texture, touch bitter. 87-89
2018 Château Cantelys
APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
dark fruity, some spices nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise,
blueberries, some spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89
2018 Château Cantelys blanc
APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Fresh,
fruity, minerals, apples nose fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, some
spices, minerals, lighter bodied, lovely balance, good length. 86-88
2018 Château Carbonnieux
MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, liquorice,
blackberries, blueberries, richer nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
quite toasty, dark fruits and spices, liquorice, not the most graceful
Carbonnieux to date, long. 90-92
2018 Château Carbonnieux blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
lime, lemon peel and freshly cut lemons, some vanilla and a faint peach note
nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, spices, anise touch, bitter note on the
attack before more vanilla and citrusy finish, long. Somewhat narrower. 91-93
2018 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
MAY 19 37CF 34CS 29M Ruby. Highly
scented, floral, violets, cassis, blueberries, some spices, light chocolate
touch, minerals, nuanced and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise,
blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, layered, nuanced, incredible depth
and purity, stunning wine. Very long indeed. Graceful! 13,75% alcohol and 3,61
pH. 98-100
2018 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion
MAY 19 61CS 37M 2PV Ruby.
Blueberries, anise, spices, cassis, intense nose, some floral high notes,
layered and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices,
liquorice, quite fruit driven, bit lighter finish, long. From a separate
vineyard in Léognan. 91-93
2018 Domaine de Chevalier
MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries,
vanilla, spices, detailed, layered, minerals and floral notes nose. Fresh
acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, refined, superb texture,
graceful, long finish. A beautiful Domaine de Chevalier. 95-97
2018 Domaine de Chevalier blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
some spices, yellow fruits, elegant and detailed nose, light floral note. Fresh
acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, ripe tropical notes in the back, detailed,
again this light bitterness that seems typical of this vintage, long indeed.
94-96
2018 Château Couhins
MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, scented,
floral nose, detailed and elegant. Charming. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark
fruity, spices, liquorice, long. 90-92
2018 Château Couhins blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
lemons, elegant, detailed, minerals nose, some peach. Fresh acidity, fresh,
fruity, apples, elegant texture, detailed, long. 91-93
2018 Château Couhins-Lurton
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise,
juicy, long. 89-91
2018 Château de Cruzeau
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
scented nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and
spices, good length. 86-88
2018 Château de Cruzeau blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light grapefruits,
vanilla and lemons nose. Fresh acidity, lighter, fresh, some bitterness in the
finish. 86-88
2018 Château de Fieuzal
MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, fruity, blueberry
jam, some floral high notes, raspberries, seems warm on the nose. Fresh acidity,
ripe tannins, leaner bodied, somewhat jammy and sweet fruit and palate, bit all
over the place. 88-90
2018 Château de Fieuzal blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
fruity, some minerals, pears, lemons and some peach notes nose. Fresh acidity, fruity,
rounded, apples, lemons, slight bitter note, elegant, long. 89-91
2018 Château de France
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
spices, ripe berries, somewhat scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, long. Lovely effort. 89-91
2018 Château de France blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
refreshing, some lemons and spices, fruit driven nose. Light floral note. Fresh
acidity, fruity, rounded, apples and peach, some vanilla, good length. 88-90
2018 Château Gazin Rocquencourt
MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise,
blueberries, ripe vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some herbs,
dark fruits and anise, blackberries, good length. 88-90
2018 Château Gazin Roquencourt blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Some apples,
citrus and faint minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples and
citrus, good length. 87-89
2018 Château La Garde
MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise,
some spices, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anis,
blueberries, some alcohol, good length. 87-89
2018 Château Haut-Bacalan
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, dark
fruity fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some
spices, some liquorice, good length. 87-89
2018 Château Haut-Bailly
APR 55CS 35M 5CF 5PV Ruby. Blueberries,
anise, scented, dark fruity, elegant and nuanced, detailed, minerals nose.
Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, minerals, elegant, fruity, detailed,
nuanced, layered, deep, fairly rich with freshness to back it up. Truly
long. 97-99
2018 Haut Bailly
II
APR 19 65M 35CS New name for La
Parde de Haut-Bailly. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, spices,
scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices,
liquorice, detailed, nuanced, elegant, lovely balance, long. 92-94
2018 Château Haut-Brion
APR 19 49,4M 38,7CS 11,9CF Ruby.
Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, scented, minerals, scented, floral, layered,
nuanced, somewhat tighter and firmer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise,
blueberries, spices, dark fruity, dense, refined and nuanced, long indeed.
98-100
2018 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion
APR 19 58,2M 28,5CS 9,7CF 3,6PV
Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruits, scented, minerals nose. Fresh acidity,
ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, spices, detailed, long.
92-94
2018 Château Haut-Brion blanc
APR 19 80,6SB 19,4S Pale lemon
yellow. Apples, lemons, some vanilla, citrus, floral notes, elegant nose. Fresh
acidity, fruity, some lemons, apples, elegant, detailed, lovely texture,
refreshing, quite smooth, long finish. 93-95
2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion
APR 19 79,2S 20,8SB Pale lemon
yellow. Apples, oranges, grapefruits nose. Touch tropical. Fresh acidity,
fruity, floral, apples, grapefruits, anise, elegant, lovely balance, long. 89-91
2018 Château Haut-Bergey
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
spices, floral notes and minerals nose. Coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
fruity, anise, spices, minerals, good length. 88-90
2018 Château Haut-Bergey blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Floral,
scented, fruit driven, apples and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples,
some spices, slight bitterness, juicy, good length. 88-90
2018 Château Haut-Lagrange
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
some spices, liquorice and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
blueberries, spices, anise, good length. 86-88
2018 Château Haut-Lagrange blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light
grapefruity nose. Light palate, refreshing, touch bitter. 83-85
2018 Château Haut Nouchet
MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise,
some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, ripe, dark
fruity. 86-88
2018 Château Haut Nouchet blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
fresh, some pears and citrus nose. Freshish acidity, minerals, apples, ripe
lemons and grapefruits, fairly smooth 86-88
2018 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, vanilla, some
coffee and plums, denser knit nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise,
blueberries, spices, detailed, red fruits core with fairly lush dark fruits
around it, an impressive Larrivet! 92-94
2018 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
citrus, minerals, nuanced, tropical and quite floral nose. Fresh acidity, some
bitterness, apples, lemons and spices, fairly detailed, somewhat smoky, long.
90-92
2018 Château Latour Martillac
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed nose, minerals beneath, some floral high
notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, bit
of warmth in the finish, long. 93-95
2018 Château Latour Martillac blanc
MAR 19 apples, some tropical fruits
and peach, light minerals note beneath in the nose. Fresh acidity, apples,
rounded, elegant, some structure, refreshing and playful, lovely balance, long
indeed. WOW. The best white from here I have tasted during primeurs! 93-95
2018 Château Lespault-Martillac
MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise,
blueberries nose, quite ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, dark
fruity, bit alcoholic. 86-88
2018 Château Lespault-Martillac
blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
fruity, some spices nose, grapefruits. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant,
not too lively. 87-89
2018 Château La Louviere
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
liquorice and spices, detailed nose, faint graphite notes beneath. Fresh
acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, bit leaner
bodied, long. 90-92
2018 Château La Louviere blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
minerals, some lemons and lime, somewhat spicy nose. Fresh acidity, fruity,
apples, some lemons and vanilla, somewhat creamy, long finish. 91-93
2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
floral, detailed, elegant nose, scented, superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe
tannins, juicy, spices, detailed, elegant, superb body and structure, another
brilliant effort this vintage. 93-95
2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière
blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Tropical
fruits, minerals, pears and ripe citrus nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples,
peach, minerals, elegant texture, detailed, long finish, more focused than some
this vintage. 91-93
2018 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
APR 19 53,5M 42,9CS 3,6CF Ruby.
Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, elegant, nuanced, flirting, detailed,
elegant, nuanced, exotic and layered. Superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
anise, blueberries, anise, juicy, spicy, exotic, layered, detailed, nuanced,
intense, just goes on and on, and on. Superb texture. 99-100
2018 La Chapelle de la Mission
Haut-Brion
APR 19 40,8M 51,6CS 7,6CF Ruby.
Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spicy nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe
tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, structured, firm yet fine
grained tannins, long. Lovely. Smooth. 92-94
2018 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
blanc
APR 19 57,4SB 42,6S Pale lemon
yellow. Ripe citrus, oranges, peach, pears, some vanilla and minerals nose. Bit
more subdued than usual. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, citrus, minerals,
detailed, elegant, smooth texture, quite refreshing. Not the highest acidity
levels yet it remains fairly refreshing. Very long. 94-96
2018 Château Olivier
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
spices, detailed, floral, nuanced nose. Scented and detailed. Fresh acidity,
ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, red fruits, minerals, layered and
long. Superb Olivier. 92-94
2018 Château Olivier blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Lemons,
apples, some citrus, detailed, minerals, floral, elegant nose, bright. Fresh
acidity, fruity, apples, detailed, elegant, nuanced, lovely balance, superb
minerality and lemons creating a truly elegant finish, long. 92-94
2018 Château Le Pape
APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
dark fruity nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, structured, dark
fruits, spices, blueberries, firmer, long. 91-93
2018 Château Pape Clément
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
spices, floral, detailed, minerals, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
anise, blueberries, minerals, elegant texture, quite bright expression, lovely
balance, layered. Beautiful and refined Pape Clément. 94-96
2018 Château Pape Clément blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
detailed, nuanced, fresh and bright nose, minerals, focused, citrusy nose.
Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, somewhat creamy, lemons, yellow fruits,
elegant, lovely balance, long finish. Seems to be less heaviness and more
refined whites coming out of Pape Clément with this lovely vintage after last
years superb. 94-96
2018 Château Picque Caillou
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
floral, scented, faint minerals note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise,
blueberries, some spices, liquorice, lighter finish. 88-90
2018 Château Picque Caillou blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
lemons, some spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons and spices,
detailed, nuanced, playful, one superb Picque Caillou, WOW! 90-92
2018 Château de Rochemorin
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
liquorice, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices,
anise, blueberries, good length. 88-90
2018 Château de Rochemorin blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
fruity, minerals, some grapefruits and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity,
apples, grapefruits, good length. 86-88
2018 Château Seguin
MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
liquorice and spices nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise,
blueberries, some spices, vanilla, good length. 87-89
2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 19 60CS 34M 4CF 2PV Ruby.
Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, vanilla, detailed, scented, nuanced,
violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy,
detailed and layered, nuanced, superb balance, long. 96-98
2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
APR 19 Ruby. Spices, exotic notes,
blueberries and spices, liquorice and anise, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe
tannins, anise, juicy with structure behind, detailed, nuanced and long. 91-93
2018 Les
Hauts de Smith
APR 19 Ruby. Ruby. Blueberries,
anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries,
juicy, dark berries, soft and smooth, good length. 88-90
2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
vanilla, fruity, detailed, elegant nose, bit more subdued than some this
vintage on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, detailed, some spices,
beautiful texture, nuanced, long. Beautiful effort. So elegant! 93-95
2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light
fruity, apples, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity,
apples, elegant texture, good length. 88-90
2018 Les Hauts de Smith blanc
APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples,
minerals, fresh, some spices, citrusy nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity,
citrus and pears, minerals, lovely salinity, good length. 87-89
2018 Château Le Thil de Comte Clary
APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise,
some spices, faint floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity,
spices, juicy, lovely balance, good length. 88-90
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