2018 Primeur Saint-Emilion

More than 180 wines was tasted from Saint-Emilion during late March and early April this year. With a margin my biggest report to date from here. Saint-Emilion is always heterogeneous as the soils and microclimates are quite varied. Some are on flatter lands, others on the plateau with gently rolling hills in almost all aspects and yet others again are on the quite steep côte, or hill. These make for very different expressions, but also different problems may occur during a year’s growing cycle. The limestone vineyards seem to have done very well. And as for Pomerol where Olivier Berrouet of Petrus said, “The effort this year was to resist the temptation”. Those that did exactly that made some astonishing and refined Saint-Emilions. The temptation being taking too much out of the must. For me, Angelus, Ausone and Valandraud made exquisite wines at the very top of what they have ever done. The first two are graceful, elegant, nuanced and refined, Angelus a bit richer than Ausone. Valandraud shows that as well as a treasure throw of complexity. 2018 as well as 2017 are the two greatest Valandraud’s I’ve tasted to date. If this continues, are we looking at Premier Grand Cru Classé A soon?  At Pavie the fruit was probably the most refined and elegant to date, but the wood was just so incredibly hard, I just hope it will handle it. If it does, it will be a spectacular Pavie.

Belair-Monange made a wine with a new found depth and grace, this will be a Premier Grand Cru Classé A before long. At Quintus, just on the point of the plateau the richness of Tertre Daugay from the past is evident this vintage, almost overshadowing the grace that used to be L’Arrosée. This wine is very dense and rich and it will be interesting to see if the grace will show more in the future. Both after ageing, but also in general. Canon and Clos Fourtet are two more proper stars at this end of Saint-Emilion that again has made some remarkable wines. Stunning stuff. Another two that might be heading for A? Cheval Blanc was richer and denser and one of the more difficult to taste this vintage. Some I spoke with said it was singing the week before I tasted it, and that is the thing with all these primeur samples, you need to know an estate and the vintage well to try to judge it correctly. And none of us every do even when we try our best. Cheval was more opulent and big than usual, yet extremely tight. It might go higher. I would say that might be the case for Figeac as well, and I tasted the two within hours of each other and both were particularly tight. By the way, if the month tasted is missing, all those were tasted in April. Not that really matters that much. Unfortunately I did not taste Beau-Séjour Bécot or Troplong Mondot, nor Laroque that sells quite well in the Norwegian market this year. I will try to see if I can taste these and a few others during my Vinexpo trip in May.

On the somewhat more affordable price levels, there is lots to be happy for. For years many Saint-Emilions have been to extracted with an overdone use of oak giving bitter wood tannins and lots of toasty aromas of burnt wood and coffee beans. Those days seems to be gone and there is more pure fruit, even if sometimes quite ripe and even overripe. Yet those wines that are overripe is also fewer than just back in 2015. So there is much to be happy about in Saint-Emilion. Stars that won’t break the bank, Fleur Morange and especially the cuvée Mathilde made from a separate vineyard is shining, Bellefont-Belcier, Couvent des Jacobins, La Dominique, Dassault and Ferrand. Fonbel and Simard from the Vauthier family of Ausone is shining. Also look for Mangot and Villemaurine. And there are more.

2018 Château Adagusta

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, scented, ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, juicy, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Angelus

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, layered, detailed, elegant nose, blackberries, dark fruits, spices, dense, minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruits, layered, deep, blackberries, touch of tobacco, incredible depth and complexity, almost hitting another level, long. A new level of precision for me, incredible. 99-100

2018 Le Carillon Angelus

APR 19 85M 15 CF Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Layered, floral and minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, layered, elegant texture, deep, long. 92-94

2018 Chateau Ausone

MAR 19 60CF 40M. Ruby. Floral, violets, roses, lilies, blueberries, anise, blackberries, touch of raspberries, minerals, so refined and pure on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, layered, nuanced, refreshing, playful, intense, minerals, just goes on, and on, and on, and on. Incredible length. 99-100

2018 Chapelle d'Ausone

MAR 19 50M 40CF 10CS. Ruby. Scented, red berries, blueberries, floral notes, some spices, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, fresh and playful, detailed, nuanced, refreshing, almost mouthwatering, long. 92-94

2018 Château Badette

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, ripe and dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some spices, ripe and rich. 87-89

2018 Clos Badon

Ruby. Fruity, dark berries, anise, spices, blueberries, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, some alcohol warmth in the finish, long. 91-93

2018 Château Balestard la Tonnelle

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, ripe, fruity driven, slightly spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, vanilla, spices, detailed, quite intense, has this cinnamon and raspberries thing going on making it exciting, long. 92-94

2018 Château Barde-Haut

Ruby. Jammy, rich, woody and alcoholic nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, ripe, rich, spicy, woody, long. Not for everyone. 89-91

2018 Château Barrail Saint André

Ruby. Spicy, dark fruity nose, blueberries, denser, some coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Beauséjour Duffau (Lagarosse)

APR19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity, scented, layered nose, floral, faint minerals, stunning. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blueberries, rich and dense, layered, intense and long. 95-97

2018 Château Belair-Monange

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices, rich and dense nose, layered, minerals, mint and floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, layered, dark fruity, dense, spicy, minerals, incredible depth, long indeed. Is this the greatest yet from Belair-Monange? 97-99

2018 Château Bellefont-Belcier

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, softer and gentler yet fairly rich and fruit driven, has some density to it, long. 92-94

2018 Château Bellevue

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, some spices, scented nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, detailed and playful, one beautiful Bellevue! 93-95

2018 Château Bellevue Figeac

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, anise, spices. Medium acidity, rounded, fruity, bit sweet and coffee palate and finish, not fully together it seems. 86-88

2018 Château Bellevue Mondotte

APR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, rich, dark fruity nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, ripe and rich, long finish. 92-94

2018 Château Bellisle Mondotte

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, dense. Sweet and woody. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, long. 89-91

2018 Château Berliquet

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh avidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, vanills, dark fruits, some raspberries, fairly rich, long. 90-92

2018 Château Bernateau

Ruby. Dark fruity, alcohol, jammy nose, rich. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, jammy, plums, lush, alcoholic finish. 85-87

2018 Château Blanche Hermine

Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries, red fruits notes, lively, vanilla and spices, long. 89-91

2018 Château Boutisse

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, slightly scented, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, good length, some alcohol. 88-90

2018 Château Brun

Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, anise, alcohol nose. Freshish acidity, herbs, jammy, not together. 83-85

2018 Château Cadet-Bon

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, some spices, elegant texture. 89-91

2018 Château Canon

Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruity, anise, spices, detailed, layered, nuanced, minerals, scented, incredible nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soothing, dark fruity, elegant texture, detailed, minerals, layered, superb balance, incredible depth, long. 97-99

2018 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière 

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, thyme, roses, scented, faint paprika and violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, fruit driven, some spices, elegant and detailed, long. 92-94

2018 Château Cante Alouette

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, liquorice, fruit driven, rich. 88-90

2018 Château Cantin

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich and dark fruity nose, herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, ripe, dark fruity, leaner. 86-88

2018 Château Cap de Mourlin

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, liquorice, some spices nose, bit leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, some liquorice, long somewhat narrower finish. 89-91

2018 A Capella

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lots of wood, bitter and alcoholic. 83-85

2018 Château Capet-Guillier

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices. Good length. 87-89

2018 Château Carteau Côtes Daugay

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, scented, fruit driven nose, faintly floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and spices, bit alcoholic palate and finish. 87-89

2018 Château La Chapelle Lescours

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, some spices nose. Fresh aciidty, ripe tannins, dark berries, anise, juicy, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Chauvin

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, jammy, dark fruity, vanilla, rich and dense, some red fruity freshness behind. 87-89

2018 Château Cheval Blanc

MAR 19 54M 40CF 6CS. Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, some spices, scented, red fruity, some floral notes, layered and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, layered and detailed, nuanced, long. 74% of the total production is in the Grand Vin. 96-98

2018 Le Petit Cheval

MAR 19 70M 30CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some scented notes, faint coffee and raspberries note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, detailed, long. Just ten percent of the production. 92-94

2018 Château Cheval Noir Cuvee Le Fer

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spicy, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, blueberries, refreshing. 87-89

2018 Clavis Orea

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded, some vanilla, slightly bitter, good length. 88-90

2018 Clos des Jacobins

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity, spices, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, blueberries, spices, long. 91-93

2018 Château Clos Junet

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some spices, bit sweet. 87-89

2018 Château Clos des Princes

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, alcoholic yet leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, juicy. 86-88

2018 Château Clos de Sarpe

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, blueberries, spices nose. Jammy. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, lush, jammy, rich yet fairly playful, long. 90-92

2018 Château La Clotte

MAR 19 85M 10CS 5CF. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, minerals beneath, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices and structure, refreshing and elegant, long. Bit more structure in the finish. 91-93

2018 Château La Commanderie

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, anise, spices, dark fruits, rounded texture, good length. 88-90

2018 Château La Confession

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, ripe, dark fruity, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, leaner, somewhat flat, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Le Conte

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, blueberries, spices, liquorice, long. 90-92

2018 Château Corbin

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, jammy and spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe and dark fruity, ripe and rich, good length. I am sure this impresses many but not for me. 87-89

2018 Château Côte de Baleau

Ruby. Jammy dark fruity nose, rich. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, bit hollow finish. 85-87

2018 Château Coudert

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, ripe and rich nose. Some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. 87-89

2018 Château La Couspaude

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices, bit smoky nose, coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, ripe, denser, spices, some alcohol warmth, long if woody finish. 90-92

2018 Couvent des Jacobins

Ruby. Dark fruity, spices, anise, rich nose. Freshish acidity, dark berries, anise, spices, blueberries, richer, dense. 88-90

2018 Château La Croizille

MAR 19 Ruby. Coffee, blackberries, anise, fruity and spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, woody finish. 86-88

2018 Croix Canon

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blueberries, structured. Good length. 88-90

2018 Château Croix Cardinale

MAR 19 Ruby. Jammy woody nose, coffee. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Croix de Labrie

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, liquorice, blueberries, some spices nose. Rich. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, fruit driven, some spices, dark berries, good length. 88-90

2018 Château La Croix de Younnan

MAR 19 Ruby. Vanilla, some spices, liquorice nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, woody, woody and woody. 83-85

2018 Château Dassault

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, fruity, floral, highly scented nose, detailed and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, elegant texture, some red fruits in the core, long. 91-93

2018 Château Daugay

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, minerals, detailed nose, scented and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, minerals, detailed, lovely balance, long. Two thirds of the production lost to mildew! One superb Daugay!  93-95

2018 Château Destieux

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château La Dominique

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, lightly scented, some minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, detailed, spicy, minerals, long. Lovely effort from La Dominique. 91-93

2018 Clos Dubreuil

MAR 19 Ruby. Ripe and rich and alcoholic nose, lots of coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, ripe, smooth and rich, dense, good length. 89-91

2018 Château Edmus

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity  palate, bit short. 86-88

2018 Château L'Eveche

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, bit jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, blueberries, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Faurie Souchard

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, dark fruity nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, lush and rich, bit sweet, good length. 88-90 

2018 Château Faugères

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, chocolate, coffee, dense nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, dark fruity, chocolate and coffee, good length. 88-90

2018 Château de Ferrand

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral, dark fruity nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, long. 90-92

2018 Château Figeac

MAR 19 37M 33CS 30CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, juicy! nose, almost leaps out of the glass, scented and fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, layered, dark berries, spices, layered and nuanced, long. Elegant, layered and detailed. 95-97

2018 Château La Fleur

MAR 19 Ruby. Ripe, dark fruity, rich nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, woody. 86-88

2018 Château La Fleur d'Arthus

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, ripe and rich nose, spicy. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spicy, rich and dense. 87-89

2018 Château La Fleur Cardinale

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some scented notes, quite rich nose, dense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blackberries, structured, again dense, long. 91-93

2018 Château La Fleur Morange

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, minerals, minerals, rich nose, some alcohol. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, minerals, denser, rich, some alcohol, long finish. A bit fatter vintage from here. 93-95

2018 Château La Fleur Morange Mathilde

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, rich and dense, sweet as well, intriguing. 92-94

2018 Château La Fleur Pourret

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, rich, alcoholic nose. Lean, dark fruity jammy palate, alcoholic. 84-86

2018 Château Fombrauge

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, some vanilla and spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, liquorice, detailed, long. 91-93

2018 Château de Fonbel

MAR 19 70M 20CS 10Car. Ruby. Scented, floral, blueberries and raspberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, light minty note, detailed, black peppery finish. Long. 89-91

2018 Château Fonplégade

MAR 19 Ruby. Liquorice, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, smooth textured, rounded, bit easy going. 86-88

2018 Château Fonroque

MAR 19 dark fruity, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, some alcohol. 87-89

2018 Château Forge Celeste

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented nose. Blueberries, some spices, herbs, fresh, some herbs, good length. Unsulfured. 86-88

2018 Clos Fourtet

MAR 19 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, floral, detailed, minerals, violets, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, layered, minerals, deep, lovely balance, goes on and on, long. 96-98

2018 Château Franc Mayne

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented, detailed, bright nose, expressive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, dark and red fruits, long. 92-94

2018 Château Franc Pipeau

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, jammy, spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy if leaner bodied, alcoholic. 86-88

2018 Château La Gaffelière

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, liquorice, layered, elegant, lovely balance, long. 93-95

2018 Château Godeau

MAR 19 Dark fruity, anise, some spices, rich and dense nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, herbal finish. 84-86

2018 Gracia

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, fruity, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy and spices, some wood behind. Long. 89-91

2018 Les Angelots de Gracia

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, herbal and dark fruity nose. Dark fruity, ripe tannins, herbs, refreshing, leaner finish, not the best balanced. 86-88

2018 Château Grand Corbin

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries and spices, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, ripe, rich and dark fruity, some spices, long. 90-92

2018 Château Grand Corbin-Despagne

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity nose, spices, rich and ripe, dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices and liquorice, intense and long. 90-92

2018 Château Grand Corbin Manuel

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, dark fruity nose, scented. fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity and spicy, long. 90-92

2018 Château Grand Mayne

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented, elegant nose, lovely. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, nuanced and detailed, long finish. Juicy. Some red fruity notes livens things up. 92-94

2018 Château Les Grandes Muraillez

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, herbs, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, blueberries, playful, long. 89-91

2018 Château Les Grandes Versannes

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, herbs and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy and spicy, rich. Good length. 88-90

2018 Château La Grangere

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, some spices nose, liquorice. Intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, herbal, red fruity, leaner bodied, some bitter notes. 85-87

2018 Château La Grave Figeac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, bit jammy. 88-90

2018 Château Les Gravières

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, elegant, refreshing, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Guadet

MAR 19 Ruby. Light red fruity nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, light bodied. 82-84

2018 Château Guillemin la Gaffelière 

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich and dark fruity nose, vanilla and liquorice. Fresh acidity, dark berries anise and spices, liquorice, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Haut-Brisson

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, sweet dark fruits, quite woody. 87-89

2018 Château Haut-Simard

MAR 18 70M 30CF. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, detailed, floral, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, red fruity, playful, elegant with texture, long. 90-92

2018 Château L'Hermitage Lescours

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices and raspberries nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, some liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 L'If

MAR 19 74M 26CF ca 7000 bottles made. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, intense, layered, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, blackberries, layered, refreshing, nuanced and long. The best to date of this. 93-95

2018 Château Jean Voisin

Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, spices, liquorice nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, rich, dense, alcoholic finish, quite big. 87-89

2018 Château Laniote St. Emilion

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, ripe and dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe dark fruits yet herbal notes, not the best balanced. 85-87

2018 Château Laplagnotte-Bellevue

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice. Bit lean body. 85-87

2018 Château Larcis Ducasse

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, red fruits, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, red fruits, some herbs, long finish. 91-93

2018 Clos Lardière

Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruity, bit woody and smoky nose. Dark fruits behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, liquorice, some alcohol warmth, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Larmande

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, red fruity, layered and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, detailed, long narrower finish. 90-92

2018 Château Laroque

MAY 19 97M 3CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and nuanced nose, floral notes, pure expression. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, dark fruity, spices, some minerals, long finish. Focused finish. 92-94

2018 Château Laroze

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, cassis, dark berries nose, slightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smoother texture and body, fairly detailed, elegant and long. 91-93

2018 Château Louis

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, ripe. 87-89

2018 Château Lusseau

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dense, rich and ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, rich and dense, spicy. 89-91

2018 Lynsolence

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, rich and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, leaner finish. 85-87

2018 Château Magrez Fombrauge

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, vanilla, spices, liquorice, rich and dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, rich, some alcohol high notes, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Mangot

MAR19 85M 9CF 6CS. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, floral, violets, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, structured, firmer, red fruity, long. Some herbs. 90-92

2018 Château Mangot Todeschini

MAR 19 40CF 40M 20CS Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise. Spices, structured, elegant fruit, raspberries body, detailed, long. 91-93

2018 Château La Marzelle

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, liquorice, rich and dark fruity, woody finish. 86-88

2018 Château Moine Vieux

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, blueberries, blackberries and spices, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Mondou

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, quite woody palate, bit short. 87-89

2018 Château Monlot

Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, blackberries, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, juicy if leaner. 87-89

2018 Monolithe

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity, chocolate and jammy nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, masses of wood and toast, toothpicks growing out of your teeth after. 84-86

2018 Château Montlabert

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, some spicy notes, minerals. Somewhat scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, woody finish. 88-90

2018 Château Montlisse

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, rich and fruity, chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, ripe and rich, detailed, nuanced, long. 90-92

2018 Château Moulin Galhaud

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, rich and dark fruity, vanilla and a light floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, juicy, long. 89-91

2018 Château Moulin Saint-Georges

MAR 19 80M 20CF. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, elegant, some minerals nose, light floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, anise, juicy, dark fruits, refreshing, nuanced and long. 92-94

2018 Clos La Madelaine

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, floral notes and faint minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, liquorice, some high alcohol notes, long. 90-92

2018 Château La Marzelle

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, woody, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and anise, some spices, ripe, long. 89-91

2018 Château Monbousquet

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some jammy notes nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, ripe, dense, long. 91-93

2018 Angelique de Monbousquet

APR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, jammy, dense. 87-89

2018 Château du Paradis

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, anise, juicy, some alcohol, good length. Bit hollow. 87-89

2018 Château du Parc

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, rich and ripe nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, jammy, leaner. 85-87

2018 Château Pas de l'Ane

MAR 19 Ruby. Vanilla, dark fruity and herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied. 84-86

2018 Château Patris Querre

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, woody nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, rich. 86-88

2018 Château Pavie

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, cassis, blackberries, vanilla nose, somewhat scented behind it all. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, dark fruity, layered and long. This is a fresher better balanced Pavie than in quite some time, still quite hard on the wood. If this wine handles the quite raw wood it might reach higher than this score. 95-97

2018 Arômes de Pavie

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, wood, wood and wood covering lush dark rich fruit that is more lively than usual from here. 89-91

2018 Esprit de Pavie

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, blackberries nose. Freshish acidity, woody, spices, anise, blueberries, dense. 86-88

2018 Château Pavie Decesse

APR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, ripe, rich, dark fruity, dense, slightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, blackberries, spices, dense, rich and heavy, structured. 92-94

2018 Château Pavie Macquin

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, detailed, elegant, refined nose, minerals. Superb nose on this one. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, red fruits, liquorice and spices, has some alcohol warmth below, layered and nuanced. 93-95

2018 Château Peby Faugeres

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, fruity, dense, bit jammy nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, sweet and ripe. 87-89

2018 Château Petit Gravet Ainé

Ruby. Dark fruity and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Petit Val

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries, rich and dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, juicy, rounded and elegant, long. 89-91

2018 Château Muse du Val

Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, vanilla, faint thyme note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries, spices, anise, liquorice, detailed, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Pierre 1er

MAR 19 Ruby. Jammy dark fruity nose, rich and woody. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blackberries, bit hollow. 86-88

2018 Château Pindefleurs

MAR 19 Ruby. Herbs, raspberries and dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, and spices, juicy, good length. 86-88

2018 Château de Pressac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, blackberries, nose, tight and dense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, dense, ripe and big, still refreshing. Some alcohol warmth in the finish and knowing this clocks in at 15 plus, that is telling something about the concentration and density of this one. 92-94

2018 Château Le Prieuré

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, vanilla, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Puy-Blanquet

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, blackberries, some spices nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, juicy, more fruit driven vintage from here. 87-89

2018 Château Quinault L'Enclos

MAR 19 70M 15CF 15CS Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented, faint floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, long finish. 90-92

2018 Château Quintus

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, scented, layered, nuanced, intense, some minerals, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, layered, detailed, spicy, juicy, refreshing and elegant even if rich. This is finding itself more and more with an ever clearer identity. Bit of warmth (15,2). Alcohol is on the high side but the flavour profile and acidity keeps it in balance. At least at this point. 93-95

2018 Le Dragon de Quintus

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, scented, dark fruits, spices nose, some minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, spicy, blackberries, intense, this is getting more serious now. Bit of warmth (14,8). 92-94

2018 Saint-Emilion de Quintus

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, red fruits, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some spices, blueberries, leaner mid palate, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Ripeau

MAR 18 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, elegant texture, long. 91-93

2018 Château Rol Valentin

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, dark fruity, spicy nose, jammy. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, rich, jammy, good length. 85-87

2018 Château Rolland-Maillet

MAR 19 Ruby. Jammy dark fruity and roses nose, vanilla. fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, extracted, alcohol, spices, rich. 87-89

2018 Château Roylland

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, alcoholic fruity nose. And palate, flat. 82-84

2018 Château Saint-Georges Côte Pavie

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, ripe and dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, juicy. 89-91

2018 Clos Saint-Julien

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries, scented, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Clos Saint-Martin

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise and spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Clos Saint-Vincent

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, bit hard on the wood. 86-88

2018 Saintem Saintayme

MAR 19 100M Ruby. Blueberries, anise, blackberries nose, some spices. Elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, fruit driven, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château Sanctus

MAR 19 Ruby. Ripe, dark fruity, spicy nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, juicy. 86-88

2018 Château Sansonnet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, ripe dark fruity nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blueberries, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château La Serre

APR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, vanilla, smoky notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, fruity, juicy, vanilla, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château de Set

Ruby. Jammy nose and palate, rich, sweet and alcoholic. 84-86

2018 Château Simard

MAR 19 70M 25CF 5CS. Ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, blueberries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, fresh and lively, playful. One lovely Simard. 89-91

2018 Sol Beni

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, dark fruity, borderline jammy, rounded. Long. Smooth. 89-91

2018 Château Soutard

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some spices, floral notes, raspberries nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, liquorice and spices, detailed, intense, long. One lovely Soutard! 90-92

2018 Château Soutard-Cadet

MAY 19 Ruby. Vanilla, woody, jammy dark fruits nose and palate, some freshness going on. 84-86

2018 Château Tauzinat l'Hermitage

MAY 19 Ruby. Herbs and jammy nose. Leaner, dark fruity palate. 83-85

2018 Château Tertre Roteboeuf

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, intense, some spices, liquorice, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, long finish. 94-96

2018 Château Tour Baladoz

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices and woody nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, again woody. They love wood at this place. 85-87

2018 Château La Tour Figeac

MAR 19 Ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, blueberries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice notes, minerals finish, focused. 91-93

2018 Château Tour Fontprazade

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, ripe, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, sweetish. 85-87

2018 Château Tour Saint Christophe

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, rich, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise and herbs, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Trianon

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices, coffee, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, blueberries, good length. Bit of alcohol warmth. 88-90

2018 Château Trimoulet

Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries, spices, liquorice, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, quite woody finish. Coffee. 86-88

2018 Château Troplong Mondot

85M 13CS 2CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, minerals, layers, minerals, refined nose, just keeps showing new stuff. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, focused, intense, spices behind, some vanilla, layered, nuanced, dense, some chocolate notes, firm texture. Feels both tight and open at the same time. Long. 96-98

2018 Mondot

100M Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented, quite bright nose, elegant, lightly floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, minerals beneath, lovely balance, long finish. Fairly linear. 91-93

2018 Château Trottevieille

MAR 19 Ruby. Coffee, anise, blueberries, plums and blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, bit leaner bodied, long. 89-91

2018 Château Valandraud

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, some spices, layered, intense yet refined and detailed nose, incredible depth. Floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, liquorice, spices, layered, detailed and nuanced, lush yet graceful. Long indeed! Stunning. Tasted three times with very similar notes. 98-100

2018 Virginie de Valandraud

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, deeper nose. Slight floral note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, dark fruity, detailed and long. 93-95

2018 Château de Valandraud blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Fresh, fruity, minerals, apples, elegant, nuanced nose. Citrus and floral notes. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant texture, lovely balance, long. 91-93

2018 Virginie de Valandraud blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some citrus and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity, fruity, elegant texture, creamy, lovely balance, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Vieux Chantecaille

Ruby. Anise, ripe, dark fruity, spicy, richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, vanilla, coffee, good length. Bit warm. 86-88

2018 Château Villemaurine

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, some scented notes and some graphite notes far beneath on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, blackberries, elegant texture, long. 90-92

2018 Château Villhardy

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spicy nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, liquorice, long. Bit of alcohol warmth. 89-91

2018 Château La Voûte

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château Yon-Figeac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, minerals and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, long. 91-93