Primeur 2018 Pessac-Léognan

Pessac-Léognan was another commune showing brightly this vintage with many wines of refined complexity and depth. Not as rich expression as one could expect from such a vintage and the wines are elegant more or less across the board. Bouscaut made one of their finest reds to date, Domaine de Chevalier as well and Haut-Bailly, Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion truly exceptional. Latour-Martillac seems to be stepping up their game, same with Malartic Lagraviere. Larrivet Haut-Brion probably made their finest to date. Smith Haut Lafite was also truly impressive. But you can’t buy blindfolded. Carbonnieux was a bit austere, it could have been the sample, I did not get to retaste it, but hopefully will during Vinexpo in about a week’s time. Fieuzal also seemed to struggle, again, could be the sample, could be the frost damage from last year still taking its toll.

The whites was generally better and more refreshing than anticipated and they are livelier than some of the quite fat 2015’s, even if they might seem low in acidity if you like them mouthwatering. I generally found that the freshness balanced the body and texture as well as concentration pretty well. In some PH might be a bit high for long time cellaring but for the next five to ten years, most should drink very well.

2018 Château Bouscaut

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, liquorice, minerals, floral notes, detailed and layered nose. Gorgeous. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark and red fruits, layers, again these floral high notes, nuanced, superb fruit quality, long. 92-94

2018 Château Bouscaut blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Lemons, citrus, minerals, vanilla, some spices, detailed nose. Faintly tropical. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, some bitter notes, detailed, long. 89-91

2018 Château Brown

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, juicy, impressive Brown. 90-92

2018 Château Brown blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, grapefruits, some spices and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, some lemons, elegant texture, touch bitter. 87-89

2018 Château Cantelys

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

2018 Château Cantelys blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Fresh, fruity, minerals, apples nose fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, some spices, minerals, lighter bodied, lovely balance, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Carbonnieux

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, liquorice, blackberries, blueberries, richer nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, quite toasty, dark fruits and spices, liquorice, not the most graceful Carbonnieux to date, long. 90-92

2018 Château Carbonnieux blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lime, lemon peel and freshly cut lemons, some vanilla and a faint peach note nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, spices, anise touch, bitter note on the attack before more vanilla and citrusy finish, long. Somewhat narrower. 91-93

2018 Domaine de Chevalier

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, spices, detailed, layered, minerals and floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, refined, superb texture, graceful, long finish. A beautiful Domaine de Chevalier. 95-97

2018 Domaine de Chevalier blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some spices, yellow fruits, elegant and detailed nose, light floral note. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, ripe tropical notes in the back, detailed, again this light bitterness that seems typical of this vintage, long indeed. 94-96

2018 Château Couhins 

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, scented, floral nose, detailed and elegant. Charming. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, long. 90-92

2018 Château Couhins blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, elegant, detailed, minerals nose, some peach. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, elegant texture, detailed, long. 91-93

2018 Château Couhins-Lurton

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

2018 Château de Cruzeau

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

2018 Château de Cruzeau blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light grapefruits, vanilla and lemons nose. Fresh acidity, lighter, fresh, some bitterness in the finish. 86-88

2018 Château de Fieuzal

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, fruity, blueberry jam, some floral high notes, raspberries, seems warm on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, somewhat jammy and sweet fruit and palate, bit all over the place. 88-90

2018 Château de Fieuzal blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, some minerals, pears, lemons and some peach notes nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples, lemons, slight bitter note, elegant, long. 89-91

2018 Château de France

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, ripe berries, somewhat scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, long. Lovely effort. 89-91

2018 Château de France blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, refreshing, some lemons and spices, fruit driven nose. Light floral note. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples and peach, some vanilla, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Gazin Rocquencourt

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries, ripe vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some herbs, dark fruits and anise, blackberries, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Gazin Roquencourt blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Some apples, citrus and faint minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples and citrus, good length. 87-89

2018 Château La Garde

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, some spices, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anis, blueberries, some alcohol, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Haut-Bacalan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruity fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, some liquorice, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Haut-Bailly

APR 55CS 35M 5CF 5PV Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, dark fruity, elegant and nuanced, detailed, minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, minerals, elegant, fruity, detailed, nuanced, layered, deep, fairly rich with freshness to back it up. Truly long. 97-99

2018 Haut Bailly II

APR 19 65M 35CS New name for La Parde de Haut-Bailly. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, nuanced, elegant, lovely balance, long. 92-94

2018 Château Haut-Brion

APR 19 49,4M 38,7CS 11,9CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, scented, minerals, scented, floral, layered, nuanced, somewhat tighter and firmer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, dense, refined and nuanced, long indeed. 98-100

2018 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion

APR 19 58,2M 28,5CS 9,7CF 3,6PV Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruits, scented, minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, spices, detailed, long. 92-94

2018 Château Haut-Brion blanc

APR 19 80,6SB 19,4S Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some vanilla, citrus, floral notes, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, some lemons, apples, elegant, detailed, lovely texture, refreshing, quite smooth, long finish. 93-95

2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion

APR 19 79,2S 20,8SB Pale lemon yellow. Apples, oranges, grapefruits nose. Touch tropical. Fresh acidity, fruity, floral, apples, grapefruits, anise, elegant, lovely balance, long. 89-91

2018 Château Haut-Bergey

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral notes and minerals nose. Coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, spices, minerals, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Haut-Bergey blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Floral, scented, fruit driven, apples and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, some spices, slight bitterness, juicy, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Haut-Lagrange

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

2018 Château Haut-Lagrange blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light grapefruity nose. Light palate, refreshing, touch bitter. 83-85

2018 Château Haut Nouchet 

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, ripe, dark fruity. 86-88

2018 Château Haut Nouchet blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fresh, some pears and citrus nose. Freshish acidity, minerals, apples, ripe lemons and grapefruits, fairly smooth 86-88

2018 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, vanilla, some coffee and plums, denser knit nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, red fruits core with fairly lush dark fruits around it, an impressive Larrivet! 92-94

2018 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, minerals, nuanced, tropical and quite floral nose. Fresh acidity, some bitterness, apples, lemons and spices, fairly detailed, somewhat smoky, long. 90-92

2018 Château Latour Martillac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed nose, minerals beneath, some floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, bit of warmth in the finish, long. 93-95

2018 Château Latour Martillac blanc

MAR 19 apples, some tropical fruits and peach, light minerals note beneath in the nose. Fresh acidity, apples, rounded, elegant, some structure, refreshing and playful, lovely balance, long indeed. WOW. The best white from here I have tasted during primeurs! 93-95

2018 Château Lespault-Martillac

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries nose, quite ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, dark fruity, bit alcoholic. 86-88

2018 Château Lespault-Martillac blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, some spices nose, grapefruits. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant, not too lively. 87-89

2018 Château La Louviere

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, liquorice and spices, detailed nose, faint graphite notes beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, bit leaner bodied, long. 90-92

2018 Château La Louviere blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, some lemons and lime, somewhat spicy nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, some lemons and vanilla, somewhat creamy, long finish. 91-93

2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, detailed, elegant nose, scented, superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, spices, detailed, elegant, superb body and structure, another brilliant effort this vintage. 93-95

2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Tropical fruits, minerals, pears and ripe citrus nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, peach, minerals, elegant texture, detailed, long finish, more focused than some this vintage. 91-93

2018 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

APR 19 53,5M 42,9CS 3,6CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, elegant, nuanced, flirting, detailed, elegant, nuanced, exotic and layered. Superb nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, anise, juicy, spicy, exotic, layered, detailed, nuanced, intense, just goes on and on, and on. Superb texture. 99-100

2018 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion

APR 19 40,8M 51,6CS 7,6CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, spicy nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, structured, firm yet fine grained tannins, long. Lovely. Smooth. 92-94

2018 Château La Mission Haut-Brion blanc

APR 19 57,4SB 42,6S Pale lemon yellow. Ripe citrus, oranges, peach, pears, some vanilla and minerals nose. Bit more subdued than usual. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, citrus, minerals, detailed, elegant, smooth texture, quite refreshing. Not the highest acidity levels yet it remains fairly refreshing. Very long. 94-96

2018 Château Olivier

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, detailed, floral, nuanced nose. Scented and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, red fruits, minerals, layered and long. Superb Olivier. 92-94

2018 Château Olivier blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Lemons, apples, some citrus, detailed, minerals, floral, elegant nose, bright. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, detailed, elegant, nuanced, lovely balance, superb minerality and lemons creating a truly elegant finish, long. 92-94

2018 Château Le Pape

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, structured, dark fruits, spices, blueberries, firmer, long. 91-93

2018 Château Pape Clément 

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral, detailed, minerals, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, minerals, elegant texture, quite bright expression, lovely balance, layered. Beautiful and refined Pape Clément. 94-96

2018 Château Pape Clément blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, detailed, nuanced, fresh and bright nose, minerals, focused, citrusy nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, somewhat creamy, lemons, yellow fruits, elegant, lovely balance, long finish. Seems to be less heaviness and more refined whites coming out of Pape Clément with this lovely vintage after last years superb. 94-96

2018 Château Picque Caillou

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented, faint minerals note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, lighter finish. 88-90

2018 Château Picque Caillou blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons and spices, detailed, nuanced, playful, one superb Picque Caillou, WOW! 90-92

2018 Château de Rochemorin

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

2018 Château de Rochemorin blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, minerals, some grapefruits and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, grapefruits, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Seguin

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

2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

APR 19 60CS 34M 4CF 2PV Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, vanilla, detailed, scented, nuanced, violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, detailed and layered, nuanced, superb balance, long. 96-98

2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte

APR 19 Ruby. Spices, exotic notes, blueberries and spices, liquorice and anise, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy with structure behind, detailed, nuanced and long. 91-93

2018 Les Hauts de Smith

APR 19 Ruby. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, juicy, dark berries, soft and smooth, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, vanilla, fruity, detailed, elegant nose, bit more subdued than some this vintage on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, detailed, some spices, beautiful texture, nuanced, long. Beautiful effort. So elegant! 93-95

2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity, apples, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2018 Les Hauts de Smith blanc

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fresh, some spices, citrusy nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, citrus and pears, minerals, lovely salinity, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Le Thil de Comte Clary

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, faint floral note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, juicy, lovely balance, good length. 88-90