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 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 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
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
