Primeur 2018 Saint-Estèphe

Saint-Estèphe did very well indeed in 2018. Cos d’Estournel has made another brilliant effort with a new found depth and refinement following a tremendously stunning last few vintages. Montrose is close behind with a richness and depth that is unusual and might resemble their 1990 even if they will be stylistically different. This being richer and denser, but both have power to them. Les Ormes de Pez shows more depth than usual, together with probably the densest Meyney since the 2010 vintage. Cos Labory also shows a bit more depth than usual and is likely to be a good buy. Phélan Ségur is another estate with lovely depth this year. Some wines are richer and bigger than usual, so if you like freshness, 2014 and 2016 might be the winning pair for you, some wines are untypical of the commune. Personally I find Calon-Ségur getting so rich and ripe I might not even put it in Bordeaux. Even if 2018 does not resemble 2003 much, those wines have lost their baby fat and show much more classical notes today. On the other side, back then 13,5 was considered high alcohol and Calon is closing in on 15%. I am not saying it is a bad wine, just beware if you like freshness and liveliness, this vintage might not be for you. On the other side, Cos d’Estournel that for me was a bit too sweet and big for a while has found a different grace and depth without getting big. So I guess you make the style you want. 36 wines tasted, I think that is the biggest report ever from me on Saint-Estèphe.

2018 Château Beau-Site

APR 19 Ruby. Fruity, anise, spices, blueberries, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Bel-Air Ortet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some dark fruits but also quite herbal and lean finish. 85-87

2018 Château Le Boscq

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, spices, fruity nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, liquorice, detailed, long. Lovely Le Bosq. 90-92

2018 Château Calon Ségur

APR 19 65CS 15M 17CF 3PV Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, denser, ripe, dark fruity, a richer and fuller bodied nose than usual for Calon. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, intense, some alcohol is evident behind, unusually dense and dark fruity, long. Hopefully only the vintage and not some effort to make a new big style. Those that didn’t really love Calon for its purity will probably adore this vintage, for the classic Calon lover, I’m not so sure. 94-96

2018 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur

APR 19 47CS 53M Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose, elegant and floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, nuanced, long and superbly elegant and refreshing. A truly lovely Marquis. 92-94

2018 Château Capbern

APR 19 62CS 37M 1PV Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented nose, detailed, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, somewhat rough wood, dark fruity, spicy and detailed fruit and body, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château de Côme

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices, darker fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark fruity, spices, rich, good length. 86-88

2018 Château La Commanderie

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, some spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, elegant, lovely balance. 87-89

2018 Château Cossieu-Coutelin

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

2018 Château Le Crock

APR 19 Ruby. Dark berries, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Domeyne

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, highly scented, detailed, anise, floral nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, bit lean finish. 86-88

2018 Cos d'Estournel

APR 19 74CS 23M 2CF 1PV Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blackberries, exotic, detailed, nuanced nose, rich and layered. Stunning nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, layered, detailed, dense, refined, incredible depth, exotic spices. Just never ends. 99-100

2018 Pagodes de Cos

APR 19 54CS 37M 6PV 3CF Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, spices, detailed, lovely nose, some exotic spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, spices, anise, blueberries, detailed, layered, refreshing, rich, dense and long. 92-94

2018 Cos d'Estournel blanc

APR 19 67SB 33S Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, grapefruits and orange blossoms nose. Fresh acidity, apples, fresh, lemons, pears, some grapefruits, refreshing and nuanced, surprisingly focused for the vintage, long. 91-93

2018 Pagodes de Cos blanc

APR 19 93SB 7S Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, citrus and vanilla nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, some grapefruits, elegant texture, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Haut-Marbuzet

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

2018 Château La Haye

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

2018 Château Cos Labory

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, cassis, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed and intense, long. 92-94

2018 Château Lafitte Carcasset

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, lighter bodied, elegant texture, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Lafon-Rochet

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, minerals, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, dark fruity, elegant, structured, long. 92-94

2018 Château Lilian Ladoys

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied, elegant texture, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Meyney

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, dark fruity, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, intense, layered, detailed, nuanced, depth and complexity, with a lovely long finish. A juicy Meyney. 92-94

2018 Château Montrose

APR 19 72CS 20M 6CF 2PV Ruby. Highly scented, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, detailed, nuanced, layered, seductive nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, dark fruity, rich, dense, layered, intense, just goes on and on in a mix of red fruits and dark berries, dense, superb tannin structure, velvety and long. There is some warmth in the back. Lost about 40% of the yield (between 10-15% due to organic viticulture, the rest to drought pour fruit set). 98-100

2018 La Dame de Montrose

APR 19 52M 39 CS 4CF 5PV Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, anise, floral, cassis and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blackberries, liquorice, detailed, long. There is some warmth behind. 92-94

2018 Château Ormes de Pez

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, scented, dark fruits nose, some floral notes. Denser. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, juicy, elegant texture, long. 90-92

2018 Château Petit Bocq

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, fresh fruity nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Pez

MAR 19 Ruby. Scented, spices, floral, blackberries, cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, spices, detailed, long. 89-91

2018 Château Phélan Ségur

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral, scented, some liquorice, detailed and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, lovely balance, elegant. Bravo! 92-94

2018 Château Plantier Rose

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, light bodied. 84-86

2018 Château Saint-Pierre de Corbian

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, ripe and dark fruity, bit jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Ségur de Cabanac

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

2018 Château Sérhilan

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

2018 Château Tour de Pez

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy if leaner, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Tour Saint-Fort

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

2018 Château Tour de Termes

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented notes nose, detailed, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, juicy, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Tronquoy-Lalande

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, cassis, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed, long. Some warmth. 91-93