2018 Primeur Graves

100 wines from Graves tasted, by far my largest report to date. Most of these (87) were tasted blind. This is the second year I go more in depth in Graves and it is much more finesse and body in many of the wines this year than it was last year. Considering most of these wines cost less than €20,- in wine shops, some even under €10,- and most will age well for ten to twenty years, some even longer, this year you can find some real steals in Graves. My guess is that those vineyards with older vines and/or clay subsoils as well as the in Graves very rare limestone will have had the water resources to excel this vintage. That also means it might be too cold in some leaving slightly green wines. This year was warm for whites yet I am surprised how nice so many of them are. But the whites may have to low acidity to remain fresh for years as some of these can in cooler vintages. Again that is a maybe, just be beware of it if you buy a few cases, that you follow them to see how they develop. A case of most of these are the same price as one bottle of a second growth, so it isn’t really a big problem. The reds are, even with not that big experience with many of these, probably amongst the finest the estate has ever produced. Graves is still a region were €1,- more ex-cellar can mean leaps in quality difference if the money is put right back in the estate, and mostly it seems to be. If you are a savvy buyer, Graves is a place you can get lots of fun wines to follow for affordable prices still. Remember, I am a bit stricter than some wine critics, 86-89 points means; very good wine with some outstanding features. Meaning, hugely enjoyable wines.

2018 Apollon Le Divin

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, a bit jammy, spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, anise and liquorice, good length. 85-87

2018 Château d’Arricaud

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

2018 Château d’Arricaud

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity if leaner. 83-85

2018 Château Arzac

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, dark fruits, good length. 85-87

2018 Château Arzac

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, some citrus and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, apples and citrus, rounded texture. 87-89

2018 Château de Beau-Site

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lovely balance, good length. 85-87

2018 Château de Beau-Site blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light tropical nose and palate, sweetish. A simpler wine but balanced. 82-84

2018 Château Beauregard Ducasse Albertine Peyri

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, blackberries nose, denser. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, good length. 89-91

2018 Château Beauregard Ducasse Albert Duran

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow, apples, some citrus, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, playful, some smoky notes, juicy, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Le Bonnat

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some herbs nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruity, elegant, some spices, fine-tuned. 87-89

2018 Château Le Bonnat blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, spices, minerals, fresh nose. Faintly floral. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, elegant. 85-87

2018 Château de la Brède

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, blueberries, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, dark berries, some spices, anise, structured, somewhat leaner bodied, good length. 88-90

2018 Château de la Brède blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, some apples, lemons, elegant texture, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Brondelle

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

2018 Château Brondelle blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, refreshing, good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Callac cuvée Prestige

APR 19 Ruby. Some herbs, dark fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, red berries and herbs, bit lean, good length. 83-85

2018 Château de Callac cuvée Prestige blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Some vanilla, spices, smoky nose, faint fruits behind. Freshish acidity, fruity, rounded, spicy and smoky, leaner. 84-86

2018 Château de Cardaillan

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

2018 Château de Castres

APR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, light vanilla note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Castres blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose and palate, lean, elegant body but a bit simple. Might be the sample.  81-83

2018 Château de Cérons

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, anise, liquorice, juicy, good length. 88-90

2018 Grand Enclos du Château de Cérons

APR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, fairly detailed, lovely balance, long. 89-91

2018 Château de Cérons blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, some lemons and spices, elegant texture. Good length, refreshing finish. 87-89

2018 Grand Enclos du Château de Cérons blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose, some vanilla notes. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, refreshing, elegant. Lovely balance. 85-87

2018 Château de Cérons sweet

MAR 19 Golden. Light tropical fruits nose. Fresh acidity, light bodied, lightly creamy. 84-86

2018 Château de Chantegrive

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, scented, fruity, elegant nose, floral, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, fruity, spicy, one absolutely lovely Chantegrive, one of their best efforts to date. 90-92

2018 Château de Chantegrive blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, fruity, ripe lemons nose. Fresh acidity, some bitter notes, fruit driven, refreshing, good length. Somewhat creamy. 86-88

2018 Château de Chantegrive Cuvée Caroline blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light citrus, minerals and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, minerals, apples, some citrus, refreshing and elegant, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château Crabitey

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

2018 Château Crabitey blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light grapefruity and tropical nose and palate. 82-84

2018 Château Doms

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark berries, touch warm alcohol. 86-88

2018 Château Doms blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Lighter nose, grapefruits and lemons nose. Fresh acidity, lighter bodied, elegant refreshing. 84-86

2018 Château Dorleac

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lovely fruit and balance. 85-87

2018 Château de Fougeres Clos Montesquieu

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, spices, dark berries, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, lovely balance, charming. 87-89

2018 Château Fernon

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, some spices, anise and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied, some spices, alcohol warmth in the finish. 85-87

2018 Château Ferrande

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, blackberries, slightly floral, elegant and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, lovely fruit, seems to be a bit high in alcohol, warm finish. 88-90

2018 Château Ferrande blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some tropical fruits, minerals, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, some minerals and grapefruits, elegant body and texture. 87-89

2018 Clos Floridene

MAR 19 75CS 25M Ruby. Blueberries, some minerals, elegant violets touch, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, minerals, detailed, elegantly balanced, long. 90-91

2018 Clos Floridene blanc

MAR 19 50SB 50S Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some grapefruits, faint smoky minerals notes nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, elegant texture, lovely balance, long. 90-92

2018 Château des Fougères

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

2018 Château du Grand Bos

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruits, juicy, good length. 87-89

2018 Château du Grand Bos blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, leaner, elegant texture. 84-86

2018 Château Haura

MAR 19 60CS 40M Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, elegant texture, vanilla notes, long. 90-92

2018 Château Haut Gramons

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, spices, anise and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. 85-87

2018 Château du Haut Maray

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, blueberries, touch jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, lovely freshness on the palate. 87-89

2018 Château du Haut Maray blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, pears, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, lively, citrusy and minerals, lovely palate. 86-88

2018 Château Haut Peyrous

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fruity, fresh nose. Peach. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, lighter bodied. 84-86

2018 La Perle de Peyrous

MAR 19 Ruby. Liquorice, anise and spices nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, a bit flat. 83-84

2018 Château Haut Selve

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, anise and spices, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Haut Selve blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, spicy, minerals, some citrus nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons and spices, lighter. 84-86

2018 Clos du Hez

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose and palate, leaner. Balanced. Terrace quaffer. 82-84

2018 Château de l'Hospital

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blueberries, bit herbal, structured. 85-87

2018 Château de l'Hospital blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, tropical motes and peach nose. Fresh acidity, light bodied, some bitter notes, refreshing, slightly creamy finish. 86-88

2018 Château Jouvente

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, lovely balance and freshness, elegant. 89-91

2018 Château Jouvente blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, candied lemons nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant texture, lovely balance, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Lacoste

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark fruity, spicy, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Lapinesse cuvée Prestige

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, spices, anise, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, bit leaner finish. Structured. 86-88

2018 Grand de Château Léhoul

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark fruity, lovely, refreshing, elegant. 87-89

2018 Château Léhoul

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Tropical fruits nose, apricots and light vanilla. Fresh acidity, fresh, lighter bodied, elegant. 84-86

2018 Château Magence

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, plums, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, lighter, good length. 85-87

2018 Château Magence blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, spices, fresh nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, refreshing, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Magneau

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Magneau blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Tropical, some peach and floral notes nose, lilies. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, leaner, refreshing, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Magneau Julien

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, grapefruits and minerals nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, fruity, roses, refreshing, elegant, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Méjean

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, bit boiled fruit. 84-86

2018 Château du Mont cuvée Gabriel

APR 19 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, dark fruity, blueberries nose, richer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruits, good length. 88-90

2018 Château de Pessan

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, liquorice, leather nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, firmer, dark fruity, spicy, bit dry finish. 84-86

2018 Château Peyrat

APR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, lovely balance, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Peyrat élévé en Fût

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, faint herbal note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Peyrat blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, minerals, fresh nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, leaner, focused, good length. 85-87

2018 Château des Places

APR 19 Ruby. Vanilla, coffee, spices, dark fruits nose, toast. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blueberries, some spices, lovely freshness to it even if heavy on the wood. Bitter wood tannins in the finish. 87-89

2018 Château des Places

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Leaner fruit and body, some spices, not the freshest and purest. 83-85

2018 Château Pont de Brion

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark berries, spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter, fairly refreshing. 85-87

2018 Château Pont de Brion blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, light vanilla note nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, lively, lighter, elegant. 85-87

2018 Château de Portets

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, juicy, good length. 86-88

2018 Château de Portets blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Woody, spicy and toasty nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, yet spicy and smoky that overshadows everything else. 84-86

2018 Château Rahoul

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, minerals, rounded nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, denser, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Rahoul blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, vanilla, some orange peel, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, grapefruits and spices, detailed, good length. 88-90

2018 Château de Respide Callipyge

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, spices, juicy, refreshing yet structured, good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Respide Callipyge

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fresh fruity nose, fresh fruity, leaner bodied, refreshing, light quaffer. 83-85

2018 Château de Rolland

APR 19 Ruby. Nettles, dark fruity, spices, anise, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, good length. 86-88

2018 Château de Rolland Graves Sec

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some minerals, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, lighter bodied, playful. Bit lean. 83-85

2018 Château de Rolland Les Allouettes

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fresh fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, lively, leaner, elegant texture. 84-86

2018 Château Roquetaillade la Grange

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, some scented notes and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, some alcohol notes. 85-87

2018 Château Roquetaillade la Grange blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose and palate, very light. 81-83

2018 Château Saint-Robert Cuvée Poncot-Deville

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, spices, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, good length. The wood will need some time to integrate. 87-89

2018 Château Saint-Robert Cuvée Poncot-Deville blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Citrus, light smokiness, some minerals and pears nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, elegant, fairly gentle texture, good length. 86-88

2018 Clos d'Uza

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

2018 Château Venus

APR 19 Ruby. Coffee, vanilla, richer and denser nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark berries, spices, juicy, vanilla, rounded, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Venus Tentation

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, leaner bodied, good length. 87-89

2018 Château la Vieille France

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, floral, anise, scented, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, detailed, lovely indeed, long. 89-91

2018 Château la Vieille France

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose, leaner, refreshing, lovely balance, easy going. 84-86

2018 Château Villa Bel Air

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, floral notes, quite intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Villa Bel Air blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, tropical notes nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, light bodied. 83-85

2018 Les Galets de Lou

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, juicy, lovely balance, long. 89-91

2018 Les Galets de Lou

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, some spices, fresh nose. Fresh acidity, lighter bodied, lemons, refreshing, quite lively actually, lovely balance. 85-87

2018 M de Malle

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity nose, faintly smoky. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, spices, good length. 85-87

2018 Paumarel Château Haut Reys

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity nose, spicy. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, spices, liquorice, dark fruity, detailed, lovely balance, long. 89-91

2018 Vieux Château Gaubert

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dense, richer, borderline jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, blueberries, juicy, good length. 87-89

2018 Vieux Château Gaubert blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, pears and peach nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant, playful, leaner bodied. 84-86