2018 Red Bordeaux

At the bottom of the hill below Ausone and across the road, Moulin Saint-Georges makes a fine, modern St Emilion. The 2018 seemed a little understated aromatically, but that will arrive. The palate is very lush, but with good structure and an appealing chocolatey, sweet, ripe Merlot character. A crowd-pleaser, in the best sense. Drink 2022-2032.

Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

The 2018 vintage suits the style of Villa Bel-Air very well. Always generous in style, here it has gained even more flesh and, for a wine at this level, could even be called sumptuous. Mostly on the red fruit spectrum, showing redcurrant and strawberry, there is a most appealing open, silky texture that will give early pleasure. Drink 2021-2026.

Blend: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

With no wine in 2017 after the frosts, this year's big grape clusters were savaged by an explosion of mildew at the end of June, so yields are a mere 10hl/ha. Luckily the Petit Verdot proved quite resilient and it bolsters the blend, adding a delicious bramble perfume and a lot of freshness for the vintage. What remains is very good indeed. Drink 2024-2032.

Blend: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot