Primeur 2018 Haut-Médoc

There are some stars from Haut-Médoc, even if some names are also missing. La Lagune was hit hard by hail and no wine was made. Across the road and a bit, Cantemerle made wine and a pretty good one, even if probably not the greatest ever from them. From the top of my head 2010 still leads on that part. In the southern parts some wines are a bit leaner, this might be due to the hail that took out La Lagune, and/ or mildew. It is the Haut-Médocs that surrounds the communes further north where some of the stars of the vintage from Haut-Médoc can be found. Belgrave, Camensac and Citran springs to mind. Lamarque and Haut-Logat, a property I’m not very familiar with also making lovely wines this year. Lanessan, a very charming Lestage Simon, Malescasse are a further few lovely wines this year. And there are more from the 84 wines tasted in this appellation this year, by far my largest report ever. La Tour Carnet was impressive as well, for the right reasons. Tour du Haut-Moulin is a steal! I am not the most flamboyant of wine critics, so expect 88 points from me to be in the early nineties from some of the more flashy ones. I just find the gap to be a little too narrow to the top wines if you go all in on really lovely quaffers that has huge enjoyment, but lacks a bit on complexity and length to be amongst the greats. I find most wine collectors tend to agree with that view. Haut-Médoc is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are few really problematic wines. Most are good to very good for the estate in question. Some are even better than that.

2018 Château d'Agassac

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

2018 Château d'Arcins

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, dark fruity, coffee nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries and anise, some spices, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Arnauld

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, lighter. 84-86

2018 Château d'Aurilhac

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, lighter fruit and body, good length. 84-86

2018 Château Barateau

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, lighter bodied, bit short. 84-86

2018 Château Barreyres

Ruby. Woody, anise, alcoholic nose and palate. 82-84

2018 Château Beau Secret

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Beaumont

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

2018 Château Bel  Air Gloria

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, light. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, juicy. 86-88

2018 Château Belgrave

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, scented, raspberries, cassis nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, nuanced, a lovely effort. 91-93

2018 Château Belle-Vue

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter. 86-88

2018 Château Bernadotte

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, seems to have high alcohol. 86-88

2018 Château Bibian

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, herbal notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, red fruits, leaner bodied yet ripe and sweet, long. 89-91

2018 Château Bonneu

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Braude

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, elegant, bit short. 86-88

2018 Château Cambon La Pelouse

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Camensac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, cassis, some spices and faintly floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, elegant fruit and body, long. A great Camensac. 91-93

2018 Château Cantemerle

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, structured, long. 90-92

2018 Château du Cartillon

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, cassis, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, anise, spices, leaner finish. 85-87

2018 Domaine de Cartujac

Ruby. Dark fruity and herbal nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, elegant, leaner. 84-86

2018 Château Charmail

MAR 19 Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Cissac

Ruby. Blueberries, scented, floral, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, light bodied, elegant and refreshing. 87-89

2018 Château Citran

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices and liquorice nose. Scented and floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, detailed, elegant, long. 90-92

2018 Château Clement-Pichon

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Light. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Corconnac

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some herbs nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, some structure to it, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Coufran

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices. Dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Croix du Trale

Ruby. Herbs, anise, spices and dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, lighter. 83-85

2018 Château Dasvin-Bel-Air

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, lighter. 83-85

2018 Château Devise d'Ardilley

Ruby. Woody dark fruity nose. And palate, dark fruity, ripe, dense. Bit covered up behind wood, lovely fruit behind. 85-87

2018 Château Doyac

Ruby, dark fruity, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, jammy and dark fruity, coffee finish. 84-86

2018 Château Le Fon du Berger

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, anise, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, bit woody finish. 87-89

2018 Château Fonpiqueyre

Ruby. Anise, blueberries, herbs nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lighter fruit and body. 83-85

2018 Château Fontesteau

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity if lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied. 84-86

2018 Château de Gironville

Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, blackberries, spicy nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, lighter, leaner. 84-86

2018 Château Grandis

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, good length. 85-87

2018 Château d'Hanteillan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices. Juicy if not too complex. 86-88

2018 Château Haut-Logat

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries and spices, fairly rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, long. 89-91

2018 Château Haut-Madrac

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity nose, spices, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark berries, good length. 85-87

2018 Château Labat

Ruby. Black tea, dark fruits, anise, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, structured, blueberries, quite intense, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Laborde

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, structured, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Lacour Jacquet

Ruby. Herbs, dark fruits, leaner nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lighter bodied, red berries, leaner. 84-86

2018 Château de Lamarque

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, some floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and cassis, some spices, structured, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château Lamothe Bergeron

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, dark fruits and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some spices. Leaner finish. 87-89

2018 Château Lamothe Bergeron Nove

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, spices, rich nose, some alcohol. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, ripe, rich, detailed, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Lamothe-Cissac

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity and herbal nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, leaner bodied, some herbs. Thin finish. 83-85

2018 Château Landat

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice nose. Lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruits, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Lanessan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, some liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, cassis, elegant if leaner bodied, long. 89-91

2018 Château Larose Perganson

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, detailed, lovely balance. 87-89

2018 Château Larose Trintaudon

Ruby, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark berries, refreshing, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Lauzette

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, herbs, lighter. 83-85

2018 Château Lestage Simon

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Liversan

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise and spices, liquorice. Bit woody. 86-88

2018 Château Magnol

Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, anise, dark fruity nose, some spices. Lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, nuanced and playful, lovely indeed, long. 88-90

2018 Château Malescasse

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

2018 Château de Malleret

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, bit short. 86-88

2018 Château Martin

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blue berries, woody nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, liquorice, good length. 84-86

2018 Château Maucamps

APR 19 Ruby Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Lightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied, well balanced. 85-87

2018 Château Maurac

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity and spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, anise, liquorice, elegant, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Meyre 

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, detailed, good length. 88-90

2018 Château du Mont

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries and spices, good length. 85-87

2018 Château Le Monteil d'Arsac

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity, herbal notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, anise, refreshing. 86-88

2018 Château Moulin de Blanchon

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, spices, cassis and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, anise, spices, dark fruity, slight herbal note far back, good length. 88-90

2018 Château du Moulin Rouge

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, fruity, elegant texture, lovely balance. 89-91

2018 Château Paloumey

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, leaner. 84-86

2018 Château Peyrabon

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, anise, some spices, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter. 85-87

2018 Château Peyrat-Fourthon

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit, body and texture, lovely. 87-89

2018 Château Peyredon Lagravette

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, herbs, blueberries, some cassis, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Pontoise Cabarrus

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, somewhat denser, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Ramage La Batisse

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices and herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, light bodied, bit short. 83-85

2018 Château du Retout

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, bit sweet. 86-88

2018 Château Reysson

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter, elegant texture. 87-89

2018 Château Rollin

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity if somewhat hollow. 84-86

2018 Château Saint Ahon

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, lighter but elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, refreshing, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Saint-Paul

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Saint-Pierre

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, leaner bodied, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Soudars

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, juicy, good length. 88-90

2018 Château du Taillan

APR 19 Ruby. Herbs, nettles and rich dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, good length. 86-88

2018 Château La Tonnelle

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

2018 Château La Tour Carnet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose, slightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy yet structured, firmer finish, long. 91-93

2018 Château Tour du Haut-Moulin

MAY 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, scented, dark fruity nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, elegant texture and structure. Detailed, lovely balance. Classic style with depth. A steal! 91-93

2018 Château Tour St Joseph

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, fairly elegant, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Tourteran

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter. 84-86

2018 Château Trois Moulins

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity, slightly jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark berries, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Verdignan

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices nose. Vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries spices, juicy. 88-90

2018 Château de Villegeorges

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied, good length. 85-87