Castillon and the Saint-Emilion satellites

Castillon Côte de Bordeaux

2018 Château d'Aiguilhe

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice, elegant red fruitiness that gives lift, long. 89-91

2018 Château Ampélia

MAR 19 Ruby. Herbs, dark fruits, anise, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, herbs and dark fruits, vanilla. Not fully balanced. 84-86

2018 L'Aurage

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, cinnamon notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices, some wood, dark fruits, long finish. 90-92

2018 Château La Brande

MAR 19 70M 22CF 8CS. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, floral nose, ripe raspberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, blueberries, fruit forward, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Cap de Faugères

Ruby. Blueberries and anise nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices. Good length. 87-89

2018 Clos Lunelles

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, rich, dense, coffee nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, structured, firm, extracted and woody. 87-89

2018 Château Côte Montpezat

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some spices, ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, good length. Bit herbal. 87-89

2018 Château de Laussac

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark fruits, some spices, good length. 85-87

2018 Château de Laussac Cuvée Sacha

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

2018 Château Montlandrie

MAR 19 75M 20CF 5CS Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, scented and floral, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, structure behind, long. 89-91

2018 Château de la Pierre Levée

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

2018 Château Veyry

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

2018 Clos Puy Arnaud

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich dark fruity nose, some spices, jammy. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, jammy, rounded and a bit flat. 85-87

Montagne Saint- Emilion 2018

2018 Château La Basteinne

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, rustic nose, ripe. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices. Structured. 85-87

2018 Château Bechereau Couleur Malbec

MAR 19 Ruby. Blackberries, anise and spices, dark fruity nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blueberries, some alcohol. 85-87

2018 Clos Bertineau

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, ripe and rich nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, rich and dense yet with refreshing elements, good length. 87-89

2018 La Dame de Boüard

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, blueberries and blackberries nose, some minerals and floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blueberries, darker fruits, denser, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Clos de Boüard 

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark fruity, ripe, blueberries and blackberries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, juicy with fine grained structure behind, long. 91-93

2018 Château Faizeau

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruity nose, some alcohol. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, flat and fruit driven with wood on the palate. 84-86

2018 Château Messile-Aubert

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, vanilla and wood nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, jammy and fruity. 83-85

2018 Château La Couronne Reserve

MAR 19 Ruby. Alcohol and jammy dark fruits nose. Alcoholic palate. Avoid. 77-79

2018 Reclos de la Couronne

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, rich and alcoholic nose. Rich, sweet and alcoholic palate, with herbal notes. 82-84

2018 Château Rocher Gardat

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices, blueberries nose, alcohol. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, liquorice, rich yet somewhat hollow. 86-88

2018 Château Roudier

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, spices and red fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some alcohol and jaminess. 83-85

2018 Château Tour Bayard

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices. Woody. 84-86

2018 Simon Blanchard Au Champ de la fenêtre

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Faint minerals and floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, juicy, elegant, long. 89-91

2018 Simon Blanchard Guitard

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, scented, elegant and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy, anise, minerals, good length. 89-91

2018 Vieux Château Palon

MAR 19 Ruby, woody, vanilla and coffee nose. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits and wood. 83-85

Lussac Saint Emilion

2018 Château de Barbe Blanche

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, leaner palate. 84-86

2018 Château de Bellevue

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, ripe and rich nose, yet herbal. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, herbal, hollow and alcoholic. 82-84

2018 Château du Courlat

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

2018 Château Croix du Rival

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

2018 Château La Grande Clotte

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices. Firmer finish. 87-89

2018 Château de Lussac

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

2018 Château La Rose Perrière

MAR 19 Ruby. Spices, vanilla, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, bit sweet. 84-86

Puisseguin Saint-Emilion

2018 Château Bernon Bécot

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied. 85-87

2018 Château La Diligente

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices, liquorice. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, structured behind. 86-88

2018 Château Clarisse

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, jammy an drich. 85-87

2018 Château Guibot

MAR 19 Ruby. Herbs, paprika and alcohol nose. Same for palate covered by massive wood. Avoid. 78-80

2018 Château des Laurets

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, some herbs and wood nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, jammy and yet light palate. 84-86

2018 Château des Laurets Baron

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, ripe, yet green notes. 84-86

2018 Château Pontet Bayard

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruits, quite light nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, herbs and red fruits. Firm. 84-86

2018 Château Soleil

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, dark fruits, anise, blueberries, structured, bit herbal. 84-86

Sainte Georges Saint- Emilion

2018 Château Cap St Georges

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose, jammy. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, good length. Some alcohol warmth. 87-89

Graves de Vayres

2018 Grand Vin du Château Lesparre

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

2018 Blanc de Château Lesparre

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light tropical fruity nose and palate, leaner. 82-84

Primeur 2018 Sauternes

Sauternes had a very long hanging time in 2018 due to the dry and hot autumn which created very little botrytis. The wines ending up rich and refreshing with a sweet purity and fairly nice acidity as most managed their pH levels well, but they lack some of the complexity found in vintages with more prolonged botrytis.

2018 Château d'Arche

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, fruity nose. Lighter. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity if light bodied, not too complex. 87-89

2018 Château Bastor Lamontagne

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, some spices, light vanilla note nose. Fresh acidity, light fruity, refreshing, playful. 89-91

2018 Château Broustet

MAR 19 Pale golden. Apricots, fruity, light nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apricots, candied fruits, light. 86-88

2018 Château Cantegril

MAR 19 Pale golden. Apricots, pineapples, elegant nose, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant, detailed, fruit driven, lovely texture. Good length. 87-89

2018 Château La Clotte Cazalis

MAR 19 Pale golden. Light tropical fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant. 85-87

2018 Château Coutet

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, lemon zest, orange blossoms, detailed, intense nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, orange blossoms, detailed, spices, quite intense, nuanced, long. 93-95

2018 Clos Dady

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, fruity nose. Pineapples. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, pineapples, juicy, playful and elegant. Lovely. 89-91

2018 Château Doisy-Daëne

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, vanilla, spices, nuanced, fruit driven nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, apricots, detailed, elegant and nuanced, layered, long. Lovely balance. Superb aftertaste, just a wave of grace! 93-95

2018 L'Extravagant de Doisy Daëne 

MAR 19 Golden. 100SB Apricots, pineapples, some very ripe orange and lemons notes, orange blossoms nose. Fresh acidity, playful, mouthwatering, detailed, layered, elegant, pineapples, apricots, nuanced, rich yet subtle, almost a rose petal note or rose water, stunning length. 97-99

2018 Château Doisy-Daëne Sec

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, some vanilla, nuanced, lemons nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, playful, some grapefruits, long. 89-91

2018 Château Doisy Vedrines

MAR 19 Golden. Fruity, peach and pineapples nose, lighter. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant texture, lovely balance, good length. 88-90

2018 Clos Haut-Peyraguey

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, spices, fruity, minerals, elegant, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, elegant texture, playful, lovely balance, nuanced, elegant texture, long. 92-94

2018 Château de Fargues

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, detailed, fruity, some vanilla, light spicy note nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, lemons, spices, detailed, intense, layered, long. Superb balance. 95-97

2018 Château Filhot

MAR 19 Golden. Light tropical nose and palate, refreshing but has a mushroom note making it feel unclean. 85-87

2018 Château Guiraud

No Guiraud made. 

2018 G de Guiraud

Pale lemon yellow. -apples, lemons, citrus, minerals nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, minerals, apples, detailed, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Haut-Bergeron

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, fruity, some pineapples and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, lively, refreshing, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, fruity, minerals, pineapples, detailed and elegant nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, elegant, detailed, layered, nuanced, long. Bit lean finish. 92-95

2018 Château Lamothe Guignard

MAR 19 Pale golden. Light tropical fruity nose and palate, refreshing if lean. Lacks complexity. 85-87

2018 Château Liot

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apricots, fruity, fresh if light nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, elegant, playful. 86-88

2018 Château de Malle

MAR 19 Golden. Pure fruity, apricots and pineapples nose. Fresh acidity, playful, elegant and lively, refreshing, detailed, long. 90-92

2018 Château de Myrat

MAR 19 Golden. Fresh fruity nose, lighter, apricots and pineapples. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, elegant texture and palate, lovely balance, long. 90-92

2018 Château Partarrieu

MAR 19 Pale golden. Apricots and vanilla nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, fresh, playful and elegant. Lovely. 86-88

2018 Château Rabaud-Promis

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots and pineapples nose, pure. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, lively, elegant, refreshing, apricots and pineapples, some vanilla, long. 91-93

2018 Château Raymond-Lafon

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, spices, pineapples, vanilla, detailed, fairly intense nose. Faint smoky note. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, apricots, juicy, detailed, not the riches or densest ever, but elegant and refreshing, long. 91-93

2018 Château Rayne Vigneau

MAR 19 Golden. Pineapples, anise, spices, apricots, vanilla, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, elegant, detailed, lovely balance, long. 91-93

2018 Château Rieussec

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, fruity, vanilla, some tropical fruits nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, elegant texture, fresh and lively, lovely balance, bit lighter bodied, long. 92-94

2018 Château Romer

MAR 19 Golden. Fresh nose if lighter, fresh and fruity palate, refreshing. 86-88

2018 Château Romer du Hayot

MAR 19 Golden. Pineapples and pears nose. Fresh. Fresh acidity, fresh, lighter, leaner. 86-88

2018 Château Sigalas Rabaud

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, pineapples, some vanilla and spices, detailed nose, layered. Fresh acidity, fresh, playful, apricots, pineapples, juicy, elegant body, long. 92-94

2018 Château Suau

MAR 19 Golden. Fresh, fruity, pineapples and pears nose and palate, refreshing. 86-88

2018 Château Suduiraut

MAR 19 100S Golden. Apricots, pineapples, fruity, vanilla, bit tight nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, lively, refreshing, detailed and long. Elegant. Not the most complex Suduiraut ever, but lovely balance. 93-95

2018 S de Suduiraut

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, some pears, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, some spices, refreshing. Tropical notes. 89-91

2018 Le Blanc Sec de Suduiraut

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, fruity nose, some pears. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, lemons, elegant and refreshing. 87-89

2018 Château La Tour Blanche

MAR 19 Golden. Apricots, spices, pineapples, detailed, intense nose, nuanced. Light floral note. Fresh acidity, fruity, pineapples, elegant, detailed, some spices, refreshing and fruity, long. 92-94

2018 Château de Veyres

MAR 19 Golden. Light fruity nose and palate, playful and elegant if not too complex, sugary. 85-87

2018 Château d’Yquem

Château d’Yquem will no longer show their wines en primeur, only when bottled.

Primeur 2018 Margaux

Margaux is never homogenic, and 2018 is no different. The two greatest wines ere Château Margaux and Palmer, both in a richer, riper and bigger style with more concentration than probably ever before. One thing is the high IPT levels but the overall weight on the palate is just different. Palmer, Ferriere and Durfort Vivens, all biodynamic estates lost between one two thirds and three fourth of their production this year due to mildew, and unconfirmed Clos du Jaugueyron lost most or even everything. This is a smaller less known estate with lovely biodynamically grown wines. Mildew in 2018 went viral and if you didn’t catch it early enough, could ruin everything. If you grow organically and biodynamically you will have difficulty killing it off efficiently. Brane-Cantenac continues on its pretty stellar as of late track, Durfort Vivens has made one of their greatest to date of what I have tasted from here, Ferrière definitely so, and Issan as well. Other beauties are Rauzan-Ségla and Malescot Saint-Exupery. I only got to taste one sample each of du Tertre and Giscours and those didn’t impress, but as always with primeur, it might have been the samples. Dauzac has also made one of their finest so far.

2018 Château Angludet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, some scented notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lively and refreshing, long. 90-92

2018 Château d'Arsac

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, fresh nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, good length. 86-88

2018 L'Aura

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blueberries and blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices. Good length. 87-89

2018 Château Bellevue de Tayac

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

2018 Château Brane-Cantenac 

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, some spices, detailed, elegant, layered and nuanced nose. Truly elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, juicy and refined, lovely balance, long. 94-96

2018 Baron de Brane

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, fruity, spices, scented nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, anise, long. 89-91

2018 Château Boyd-Cantenac

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, lean bodied. 86-88

2018 Château Cantenac-Brown

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice touch and floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, detailed, layered and nuanced, long. Beautiful Cantenac-Brown. 93-95

2018 Château Le Coteau

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

2018 Château Dauzac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, ripe, somewhat jammy nose, spices and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices and liquorice, long. 90-92

2018 Château Desmirail

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

2018 Château Deyrem Valentin

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose, scented, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy, detailed, bit hard on the wood at this stage but should be able to go round. 88-90

2018 Château Durfort Vivens

MAY 19 70CS 22M 8CF Ruby. Scented, red fruits, raspberries, cassis, floral, nuanced, elegant and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, elegant texture, long finish. 10 hl/ha. 94-96

2018 Château La Ferrière

MAY 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, dark fruity, nuanced, lovely nose, detailed, charming. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, touch of spices, juicy, elegant, lovely balance, long. A very charming and lovely wine and probably the best Ferrière to date. Around 30% of normal production. 92-94

2018 Château La Fortune

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, dark fruity notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, some woody and bitter notes in the finish. 86-88

2018 Château Giscours

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice and floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit leaner mid palate, fresh and fruity, elegant texture, long narrower finish. 89-91

2018 La Sirene de Giscours

APR 19Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, light bodied, easy going. 86-88

2018 Château Haut-Breton Larigaudiére

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

2018 Château d'Issan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spice, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, layered and detailed, long. 95-97

2018 Blason d'Issan

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

2018 Clos du Jaugueyron Margaux

All or most lost to mildew from what I’ve heard.

2018 Château Kirwan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, slightly floral nose. Quite tight. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, cassis, elegant texture, some structure, long finish. 90-92

2018 Château Labégorce Margaux

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, light floral note, elegant and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, elegant texture, lovely effort from Labégorce. 90-92

2018 Château Lascombes

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, some herbs, blueberries, liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner, fruity, anise, blueberries, liquorice, some spices, long. 91-93

2018 Chevalier de Lascombes

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, vanilla and spices nose, slightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, bit blunt and hollow. 87-89

2018 Château Malescot Saint-Exupery

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, richer nose, seems dense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, some liquorice, layered and detailed, long. 93-95

2018 Château Margaux

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, floral, blueberries, elegant, detailed, nuanced, lovely scent, dark fruits, layered, such finesse to it. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, nuanced and detailed, superb balance, refined, long indeed. A graceful yet dense and powerful Margaux. 99-100

2018 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, anise, spices, lightly scented, denser nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, intense and long. 92-94

2018 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux

APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, grapefruits and lemons nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, lemons, spices, detailed, incredibly focused and long finish. What an effort this vintage! 92-94

2018 Château Marquis d'Alesme

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose, faintly floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, elegant, lovely texture, long. 91-93

2018 Château Marquis de Terme

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, slightly scented note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, elegant texture, long. 91-93

2018 Clos Margalaine

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, long if narrower finish. 90-92

2018 Château Marojallia

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, dark fruity, long. 90-92

2018 Château Marsac Séguineau

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

2018 Château Monbrison

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, liquorice, vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, red fruits, juicy, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Mongravey

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, red fruits freshens things up, vanilla and spices, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Palmer

APR 19 53CS 40M 7PV Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, intense, dense and tight, floral high notes, mint and tobacco leaf. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, dense, tobacco and cigars, detailed, minty, nuanced, layered, nuanced and long. Richer and bigger Palmer, remains velvety. 96-98

2018 Alter Ego

None made. 

2018 Château Paveil de Luze

APR 19 Ruby. Lighter nose, liquorice, spices, faint herbal mote nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, lighter, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Pontac Lynch

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

2018 Château Prieuré-Lichine

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

2018 Château Rauzan Gassies

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

2018 Château Rauzan-Ségla

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed, long. 93-95

2018 Ségla

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

2018 Château Siran

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Lighter. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, leaner finish. 88-90

2018 Château Tayac

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

2018 Château Tayac Or Norme

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, spices, richer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, dark fruity, detailed, good length. 88-90

2018 Château du Tertre

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

2018 Château La Tour de Bessan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, good length, bit woody. 86-88

2018 Château La Tour de Mons

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, fruity, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, a lovely Tour de Mons. 87-89