2018 Primeur Pomerol

The effort this year was to resist the temptation. Olivier Berrouet of Petrus 

More than 100 wines tasted from Pomerol this year and it is an incredibly lovely array of wines. One thing is the beauty of the top wines, with several making some of their greatest ever, but so many that so often are just a bit lean and drab has made some utterly charming stuff as well. Beauregard seems to have a new found spirit, not that they have made bad wines, they haven’t, but they do not always catch your imagination either. If the 2018 is a new way forward, it is a good path. Le Bon Pasteur seems to head towards a more elegant and less rich style the last few years, and Bourgneuf has yet again made something very charming and seductive. La Cabanne seems to have new vigor as well over the last few years. A very elegant Certan de May, not as powerful as some of the neighbours but trust me, it is seductive! Clinet is both dense yet refined, nuanced and detailed, one superb effort from there, stunning wine! Not sure I have ever tasted Le Clos du Beau Père before, but it was lovely.

La Commanderie, normally a fairly light interpretation of Pomerol was shining this year with new found depth. Then we have La Conseillante, just pure silky finesse. So seductive, as almost only Conseillante can be. La Croix du Casse, Croix de Gay and Croix St. Georges were all lovely efforts before a denser Eglise-Clinet. This is a compact wine and it was not the easiest ever to taste, so I might have overlooked something. Still it impressed. But what I am trying to say is that it might impress even more in the future. I have never tasted such a great Evangile. That was mind blowing. Hands down. Dense, yet layered, yet incredibly complex and just never ending finish. This is a legend in the making. Another one of those? La Fleur-Petrus. Is this the greatest one to date? I had to retaste it several times just to get to grips with the depth and aftertaste of it. Wow! Gazin has been on a roll lately and the 2018 is no different. Le Gay also made beautiful stuff. Lafleur is dense, intense and layered, and not the easiest wine to taste at this stage, so much going on in there. It might go even higher.  

Probably the best La Fleur du Roy to date, and one very serious Latour a Pomerol. Nenin is another estate getting ever more serious with a peppery note to it. Petit Village is finding itself as well, and making a wine with a lovely personality over the last few vintages. Trotanoy showed incredible depth and layers and a very long finish, absolutely superb Trotanoy this year. Vieux Château Certan was graceful as ever with more density, another I fine particularly difficult to pinpoint this vintage. Petrus and Le Pin both showed incredible purity and layers, Petrus a bit more ethereal in a way, floral and scented, Le Pin a bit more spicy and exotic. There was a worry that the lover sandy soils would prove difficult this year, but there were very few problems with Pomerol. It is a star appellation in 2018.

2018 Château Beau Soleil

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, dark fruity nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, elegant texture, long. 89-91

2018 Château Beauregard 

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, dark fruity nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, lovely, long. 92-94

2018 Château Beauregard

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Lightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, elegant, lovely balance, long. 92-94

2018 Clos Beauregard

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, elegant and nuanced, long. 89-91

2018 Château Bel-Air

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

2018 Château Bellegrave

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, elegant fruit and texture, lovely balance, long. 89-91

2018 Château Le Bon Pasteur

MAR 18 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, anise, spices, some liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, floral, elegant and long. 92-94

2018 Château Bonalgue

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, spices, liquorice notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, liquorice, riper Bonalgue. 89-91

2018 Château Bourgneuf

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, lighter nose, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, juicy, structured, firm behind, long. 92-94

2018 Château La Cabanne

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, fruity nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, anise, lovely balance, some light playfulness some how going on, long. One to follow! 90-92

2018 Château Le Caillou

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, lively and refreshing, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Cantelauze

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, dark fruity, some spices, denser, long. 90-92

2018 Château Certan de May

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, detailed, layered, floral nose. Charming. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, layered and detailed, superb balance, playfulness in the finish, long. 93-95

2018 Château Le Chemin

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose, black fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins,d ark berries and anise and spices, refreshing finish. 88-90

2018 Château La Cleménce

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, blueberries, liquorice, some alcohol high notes behind. 89-91

2018 Château Chêne Liège

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

2018 Château Clinet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, fresh fruity, detailed, floral, layered, minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, red berries, anise and spices, blueberries, detailed, seriously long after taste in this, superb! 96-98

2018 Clos 56

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, alcohol, some jammy notes nose. Freshish acidity, woody and alcoholic finish. 84-86

2018 Le Clos du Beau Père

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, cassis, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, elegant if richer, long. 90-92

2018 Clos du Clocher

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, rich nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed, long. 90-92

2017 Château La Commanderie

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, layered nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, juicy, elegant texture, ripe, detailed, long. A lovely La Commanderie. 90-92

2018 Château La Conseillante

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, dark fruity, tight and layered, intense and dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, spices, rich, ripe, dark fruity, spicy, layered and nuanced, dense and long. Incredible length. 97-99

2018 Château La Création

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

2018 Château La Croix

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, highly scented, detailed and elegant nose, charming. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château La Croix du Casse

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, blueberries, structured, long. 90-92

2018 Château La Croix de Gay

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, minerals, some subdued floral notes, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, bit leaner finish, long. 92-94

2018 Château Croix des Rouzes

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, vanilla and spices, some coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, liquorice, spices, juicy, long. 90-92

2018 Château La Croix St. Georges

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, fruity, detailed, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries, spices, ripe, detailed, long. 91-93

2018 Clos L'Eglise

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some scented notes and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, leaner, elegant, dark fruity, long. 90-92

2018 Château du Domaine de L'Eglise

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spicy and woody. 86-88

2018 Château L'Eglise-Clinet

90M 10CF Ruby. Scented, violets, floral, blueberries and ripe raspberries almost leaps out of the glass, layered, and minerals far beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, some spices, layered, detailed, vanilla, spices, intense, long finish. 95-97

2018 La Petite Eglise

MAR 19 80M 20CF 5100 bottles made. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral, nuanced, some violets nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruity, dark berries, some spices, juicy with structure behind, long. 92-94

2018 Château Élisée

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

2018 Château L'Enclos

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, scented nose, dark berries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, structured, firm, long. 89-91

2018 Château Enclos Haut Mazeyres

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, coffee and chocolate nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, seems a bit flat. 85-87

2018 Château L'Evangile

APR 19 80M 20CF Ruby. Dark fruity nose, deep, floral, minerals, dense yet refined and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, some spices, liquorice, detailed, intense, spicy, blackberries, layered, nuanced, incredible depth, stunning length. WOW. 99-100

2018 Blason d'Evangile

APR 19 60M 40CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, floral notes nose. Elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, some spices, detailed, elegant, lovely balance, charming and creamy. Long. 91-93

2018 Château Fayat

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, red fruity and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, elegant, lovely balance, fresh. 87-89

2018 Château Ferrand

APR 19 Ruby. Woody, alcoholic and jammy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, jammy. Lots of wood. 85-87

2018 Château Feytit-Clinet

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some coffee and tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, liquorice and spices, long. 91-93

2018 Château La Fleur de Gay

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise and spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, spicy, detailed, refreshing, nuanced and long, elegant texture and lovely balance. Bit of warmth in the back. 93-95

2018 Château La Fleur-Pétrus

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose, layered and detailed. Minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, detailed, layered, nuanced, rich, deep and intense, stunning balance, incredible length, the aftertaste just goes on and on, and on. WOW. 97-99

2018 Château La Fleur de Plince

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, , blueberries, charming, elegant. 87-89

2018 Château Franc-Maillet

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, bit hollow finish. 86-88

2018 Château La Ganne

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, liquorice, spices, some wood nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, fairly juicy. 87-89

2018 Château Gazin

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, elegant nose. Faint minerals and flower notes behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, lovely balance, playful and elegant, long. Really charming vintage from Gazin, a flirter. 93-95

2018 Château Le Gay

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dense, rich nose, layered, floral and scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, rich and dense, layered, long. 94-96

2018 Château Gouprie

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, ripe and dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and anise, juicy. 89-91

2018 Château Grand Beauséjour

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, liquorice and alcohol nose. Medium acidity, quite flat palate. 84-86

2018 Château Les Grandes Sillons

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, anise, ripe yet scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, leaner bodied, lighter, bit jammy. 86-88

2018 Château La Grave Trigant de Boisset

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, rich and dark fruity nose, touch of alcohol. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some structure and texture to it, long. 90-92

2018 Château Haut-Ferrand

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, bit flat. 85-87

2018 Château Haut-Maillet

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter. 86-88

2018 Château Hosanna

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, dark fruits, some herbs nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, blueberries, rich and dense, long. 93-95

2018 Château Lafleur

54 Bouchet(CF) 46M. Ruby. Blueberries, some minerals, violets, roses, nuanced and detailed nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, detailed, blackberries, spices, lush and layered, velvety, minerals, nuanced, goes on and on, some coffee and almost fruit stone notes, meaning, ever so slightly bitter. Very long finish. 97-99

2018 Les Pensées de Lafleur

54 Bouchet(CF) 46M. Ruby. Spices, blueberries, cassis, some thyme, richer nose, deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, blueberries, quite dense, intense, richer, creamy, long. 93-95

2018 Château Lafleur-Gazin

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, vanilla, dark fruits, slightly rustic texture to be very picky behind, long. 90-92

2018 Château Lafleur du Roy

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, dark fruity, elegant texture, long. 88-90

2018 Château Lagrange

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, dark fruity nose, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, layered and long. 91-93

2018 Château Latour a Pomerol

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, layered, nuanced and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, dense, firmer, layered, rich, blueberries and spices, deeper, long. Stunning concentration in this. Seriously long finish. One serious Latour a Pomerol! 95-97

2018 Château Lécuyer

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberry jam, vanilla and coffee nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, this is a bit flat, dark fruity and vanilla. 86-88

2018 Château Maillet

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity and anise nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured, dense and extracted. Woody. Bitter. 86-88

2018 Château Mazeyres

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

2018 Château Monregard la Croix

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

2018 Château Montviel

MAR 19 Ruby. Ripe, dark fruity, spicy and richer nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, dark fruity, good length. 88-90

2018 Château le Moulin

MAR 19 Ruby. Vanilla, wood and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lots of wood spices and flavours, drying wood tannins, not for me. 86-88

2018 Château Le Moulin Basileus

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

2018 Château Moulinet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose, fresh. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy and elegant, refreshing. 89-91

2018 Château Nenin

MAR 1963M 37CF Ruby. Blueberries, peppery, cassis, spicy, anise nose, exotic spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, dark fruits, some spices, quite peppery, long. 91-93

2018 Fugue de Nenin

MAR 19 88M 12 CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, some cinnamon, almost an exotic note in it. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, some structure far behind, long. 89-91

2018 Château La Patache

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, spices, good length, leaner finish. 86-88

2018 Château Petit-Village

APR 19 72M 20CF 8CS Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise, floral, blueberries and spices, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, minerals, detailed, refreshing, lovely. 93-95

2018 Petrus

APR 19 99M 1CF Ruby. Scented, layered, detailed, highly scented, blueberries, seductive, stunning nose, filigree. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smooth, creamy, detailed, layered, nuanced, elegant, refined, just goes on and on, so superbly balanced, some peppery, dark berries, minerals, stunning length. 99-100

2018 Château Pierhem

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, structured and firm, dark fruity, rich. 88-90

2018 Le Pin

APR 19 100M Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, elegant nose, dark fruits, layered and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, layered, detailed, intense, stunning balance and length, incredible. 99-100

2018 Château Plince

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, spices, anise, ripe fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, juicy, long. 90-92

2018 Château Plincette

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, ripe, anise, jammy nose. Flat woody palate. 84-86

2018 Château La Pointe

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, detailed, nuanced, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner bodied, elegant fruit and body, some structure in the finish, long. 89-91

2018 Domaine de la Pointe

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Freshest acidity, flat, boiled and boring. 83-85

2018 Château Porte Chic

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, fresh, lighter. 86-88

2018 Château La Renaissance

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

2018 Clos Rene

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, leaner bodied, refreshing, good length. 88-90

2018 Château La Rose Figeac

Ruby. Cassis, dark fruity, some alcohol nose. Rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, ripe and rich. 88-90

2018 Château Rouget

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich and dark fruity, liquorice nose, spicy. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, high alcohol and lots of wood, coffee and bitter wood notes, long. 89-91

2018 Château de Sales

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

2018 Château Saint-Pierre

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, dark. Fruity, some spices, liquorice, elegant, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Séraphine

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

2018 Château du Tailhas

APR 19 Ruby, blueberries, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, lighter bodied, elegant texture. 86-88

2018 Château Taillefer

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, nlueberries, some spices, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Tour Maillet

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich dark fruity nose, spices, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some spices, detailed, long. 90-92

2018 Château La Tribune

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anis,e blueberries, lighter bodied, fresh. 87-89

2018 Château Trotanoy

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, dark berries, anise, spices, ripe and rich and dense yet floral, layered and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, fresh, playful, dense and rich, an intriguing combination, layered and truly long. This is one serious Trotanoy. 97-99

2018 Château de Valois

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice nose. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, fresh, bit short. 86-88

2018 L'Eclat de Valois

APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, jammy, some alcohol, good length. 85-87

2018 Château Vieux Maillet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, detailed, structured, good length. 89-91

2018 Château Vray Croix de Gay

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, juicy, liquorice, long somewhat narrower finish. 90-92

2018 Clos de la Vieille Eglise

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

2018 Clos Vieux Taillefer

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

2018 Vieux Château Certan

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, detailed, nuanced, red fruits, violets nose, layered, intense, leaps out of the glass. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, layered, nuanced, elegant texture, detailed, long. Superb length actually. 97-99

2018 Vieux Château Ferron

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, spices, dark fruity, leaner. 85-87

2018 Vieux Plateau Certan

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, fruity nose, scented. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied. 85-87

2018 Primeur Pauillac

Pauillac was again one of the star appellations and there will be some legendary wines from here this vintage. Mouton was probably my personal favorite, it just has everything you want from a perfect vintage of Mouton and Pauillac. Alcohol clocking in at 13,8 or so is not frightening either. My surprise was that Pichon Comtesse didn’t make an even greater wine than they did. I tasted it twice, both at the estate and at the UGCB press tasting with very similar notes. Haut-Bages Liberal was not available to taste where I normally taste it due to low production caused by mildew. Pauillac has some less expensive stars as well, Fonbadet has made their possibly finest wine to date. Armailhac and Clerc Milon has also been on a roll the last vintages and they both shine again this vintage. Lafite is bolder in style even if not that high ripeness; it is a flamboyant version of itself. Duhart-Milon is fine and less rustic than it can sometimes be. Smoother. Grand-Puy-Lacoste is stunning, maybe in a somewhat richer style but landing perfectly in the more elegant side of the vintage in my book. Lynch-Bages has more concentration and depth with lots of stuffing and will probably be for the long haul. Pichon Baron shows great depth and richness, it is a powerhouse. Latour has a similar richness with just a bit more depth. Pontet-Canet is big and rich with lots of depth but also freshness to back it all up. A very fine vintage in Pauillac.

2018 Château d'Armailhac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, light herbal note, some tobacco and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices and liquorice, long finish. 92-94

2018 Château Batailley

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, liquorice, cassis, blueberries and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, cassis, some spices, elegant texture, long. 91-93

2018 Château Bellegrave

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. Woody finish. 85-87

2018 Château Clerc Milon

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice nose. Slightly exotic. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, some liquorice, detailed, long finish. 93-95

2018 Château Croizet-Bages

MAR 19 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, cassis, some liquorice and tobacco nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices and liquorice, long finish. 89-91

2018 Château Duhart Milon

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, scented, cassis, some floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, some spices, detailed, elegant, lovely effort from Duhart. 91-93

2018 Château La Fleur Peyrabon

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

2018 Château Fonbadet

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, juicy. A fine Fonbadet. 90-92

2018 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, spices, richer nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, some herbs, leaner bodied than nose suggests, structured. Good length. 89-91

2018 Château Grand-Puy Lacoste

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, ripe, rich, blueberries, detailed, intense, long. Playful and layered. A Beautiful GPL. 94-96

2018 Lacoste Borie

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

2018 Château Haut-Bages Monpelou

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

2018 Château Lafite Rothschild

APR 19 Ruby. Tight, dark fruity, blackberries, liquorice and spices, denser. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, layered, detailed, intense and dense. A richer Lafite, powerful, or rather denser. Alcohol on the very low side this year at 13,3. 96-98

2018 Carruades de Lafite

APR 19 56,5CS 38M 5,5CF Ruby. Scented, blueberries, dark fruits, layered nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, detailed, layered and long 91-93

2018 Château Latour

APR 19 Ruby. Scented, dark fruity, blueberries, spices, ripe, detailed, intense, richer nose. Layered. Minerals, graphite, mint, touch of tobacco leaves. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries, anise, ripe, rich, dense, intense, long. 98-100

2018 Les Forts de Latour

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, anise, spices, dark fruity, detailed nose, tighter yet scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, dark fruity, nuanced, long. 93-95

2018 Pauillac

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, scented nose, some minty notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy, blueberries, detailed, elegant texture, long. 89-91

2018 Château Lynch-Bages

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, anise, some spices, tobacco, nuanced and detailed, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, liquorice and spices, layered, sme warmth in the finish. Long. 94-96

2018 Château Lynch Moussas

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

2018 Château Mouton Rothschild

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, scented, floral, detailed, intense, exotic spices, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dense, intense, layered, detailed, nuanced, superb balance, rich and dense yet remains playful. Intriguing combination, highly seductive. 99-100

2018 Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, denser Petit Mouton. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, lovely balance, long. 92-94

2018 Aile d'Argent

MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, minerals, fresh nose, some vanilla.  Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, lemons, spices, anise, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Pauillac

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, vanilla, lighter but fairly elegant fruit and body. 86-88

2018 Château Pédesclaux

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

2018 Château Pibran

APR 19 54CS 46M Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, detailed, tobacco notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, dark berries and spices, long finish. Rounded. 89-91

2018 Château Pichon Longueville Baron

APR 19 78CS 22M Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, blueberries, intense, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, intense, dense yet playful, ripe dark fruits, touch of red berries livens things up, very long finish. 97-99

2018 Les Griffons de Longueville

APR 19 Ruby. Spices, anise, vanilla, dark fruits, ripe, spices, some smoky minty notes behind. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, anise, liquorice, dark and spicy, ripe, richer, long. Some warmth 92-94

2018 Les Tourelles de Longueville

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity, anise, dark fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anis,e juicy, spicy, long. Bit of warmth in the finish. 90-92

2018 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, detailed, intense, layered nose, scented and floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, elegant structure and texture, long. Tasted twice. 95-97

2018 Reserve de la Comtesse

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

2018 Château Plantey

APR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity nose, spicy, scented, cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, long. 87-89

2018 Château Pontet-Canet

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, cassis, dense, rich nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, spicy, ripe, rich, fairly dense, with freshness to back it up. Long. Lost two thirds of the crop to mildew. 97-99

2018 Primeur, Fronsac, Canon-Fronsac and Lalande de Pomerol

If you want value for money, youthful charm and yet wines that can age, while on a limited budget, look no further. Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac has yet again hit the nail on the head this vintage and was saved by limestone and clay soils that kept the water during the months of drought. These communes have really entered into the public eye for those in the know lately as they should. Some of the finest terroir in Bordeaux is in Fronsac and finally the winemakers can get just enough for their wines to do some necessary investments. Some properties have made lovely stuff for decades already, just try La Dauphine, La Rivière or Dalem with age, if you can find them. Just last winter I got 1967 Dalem blind, I thought that minerality was a weaker vintage (as 1967 is) from Château Canon in Saint-Emilion. If I remember correctly I guessed 1973 Canon. Anyways, if you get one of these blind, you will be guessing on something much more expensive.

Lalande de Pomerol has more clay and is flatter, meaning less drainage than Pomerol, and therefore tend to have cooler soils. That makes the wines sometimes a bit lean and green, and austere. Not in 2018. Again, the heat, drought and enough water made for some of the best I’ve ever tasted from the appellation. Alcohol can be an issue here as elsewhere in 2018, so keep an eye out for that if you are sensitive to it. There are absolute bargains to be had from here. For the savvy buyer with enough confidence to not only drink famous labels or appellations. Again my biggest report ever from these appellations with 52 wines tasted.

Fronsac/ Canon Fronsac

2018 Château de Carles

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries and spices nose, blackberries. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, dark fruits, spices, anise, rich but retained, long. 89-91

2018 Château Carlmagnus

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, dark fruity, minerals nose, richer. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, anise, blueberries and spices, rich. 89-91

2018 Château Dalem

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, faint minerals note, long finish. 91-93

2018 Château de la Dauphine

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

2018 Château Fontenil

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

2018 Le Defi de Fontenil

MAR 18 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries nose. Intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, long. 90-92

2018 Château Francs Magnus

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

2018 Château Gaby

MAR 19 Ruby. Anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, good length. Bit of alcohol showing. 88-90

2018 Château Gaby Cuvée

Ruby. Dark fruity, spicy, scented, some herbs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, detailed, long. 89-91

2017 Haut-Carles

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, floral, scented, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, detailed, long. 89-91

2018 Château de la Huste

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

2018 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, floral, blackberries and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, detailed, long. One of the best I've tasted from here. 90-92

2018 Château Moulin Pey-Labrie

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

2018 Château Plain-Point

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, dark berries, fresh and fruity, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Plain-Point blanc

Watery lemon yellow. Lightly scented, fresh citrusy nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, lighter, some lemons and spices. Good length. 86-88

2018 Château de La Rivière

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

2018 Château La Rouselle

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, elegant texture, good length. 87-89

2018 Château Toumalin

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, juicy, some spices, liquorice, good length. Bit sweet. 86-88

2018 Château Les Troix Croix

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, fruity, ripe nose, dense even. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, some liquorice, some alcohol in the back, long. 89-91

2018 Château La Vieille Cure

MAR 19 Ruby. Intense of blueberries, ripe fruits, some floral notes nose. Vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, some spices, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Villars

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

2018 Château Vrai Canon Bouché

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose. Minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, juicy, spicy, lovely freshness, WOW. 88-90

2018 Lalande de Pomerol primeur

2018 L'Ambroise

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, some spices nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice, leaner bodied, long. 89-91

2018 L'Ancien

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, dark fruity nose, spices and anise. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruity, some alcohol, vanilla. Good length. 87-89

2018 Château Bechereau Cuvée Speciale

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, some spices nose, floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, coffee, ripe, rich and dense, not the greatest balance. 86-88

2018 Expression de Bechereau

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, some spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spicy. Good length. 87-89

2018 Château de Bel-Air

APR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, floral and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, detailed, elegant texture, nuanced, long. 90-92

2018 Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, spices and blueberries. Bit hollow. 86-88

2018 Château de Chambrun

MAR 18 cassis, blueberries, some spices, liquorice, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bit jammy and woody, alcohol shows through, good length. 87-89

2018 Château La Chenade

MAR 19 80M 20CF Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruity, so e spices, floral notes, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, some spices, lovely texture, long. 90-92

2018 Château Les Cruzelles

MAR 19 80M 20CF Ruby. Anise, cassis, blueberries, some spices nose. Tighter, light herbal note in the back. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, juicy, some spices and long finish. 90-92

2018 Château La Fleur de Boüard

Ruby. Dark fruity, spicy nose, blueberries, floral, nuanced nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, detailed, layered, one impressive Fleur de Boüard even with some alcohol warmth in the finish. 92-94

2018 La Plus de la Fleur de Boüard

Ruby. Rich, dark fruity nose, minerals, lush dark fruits and chocolate. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries, blueberries, juicy, dense, some red berries, layered and detailed, long. Some alcohol warmth in the finish. 93-95

2018 Le Lion de La Fleur de Boüard

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, lovely fruit, body and texture. 88-90

2018 Château Garraud

MAR 19 Ruby. Rich, blueberries, anise, some spices nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some spices, liquorice, rich and dense. 89-91

2018 Château Grand Ormeau

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruity, blueberries, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some vanilla and spices, liquorice, bit hard oaked in the finish turning it bitter. 85-89

2018 Château La Graviere

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

2018 Château Les Hauts Conseillants

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, elegant nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, red berries, spices, some vanilla, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Haut-Surguet Grande Selection

Ruby. Dark fruity, anise, spices, blueberries and spices, alcohol. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, spices, rich, dark berries, sweet, good length. 87-89

2018 Clos l'Hermitage

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, sweet floral notes, bit jammy and vanilla nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla, jammy fruit, rich. 85-87

2018 Château Jean de Gué

MAR 19 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, liquorice nose, alcohol high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Moncet

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

2018 Château Pavillon Beauregard

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, spices, ripe, some coffee notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, dark fruity and spicy, good length, bit lean finish. 87-89

2018 Château Perron La Fleur

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

2018 Château Sergant

Ruby. Cassis, anise, floral, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Siaurac

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

2018 Plaisir de Siaurac

MAR 19 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh, fruity, elegant, refreshing, good length. 86-88

2018 Château Tournefeuille

MAR 19 Ruby. Cassis, blueberry jam nose. Dark fruity. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, lighter bodied. 85-87

2018 Château de Viaud

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

2018 Domaine des Sabines

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose, spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, liquorice, refreshing, lovely texture. 88-90

2018 La Sergue

MAR 19 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, rich, dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and spices, leaner finish. 87-89