2018 Red Bordeaux
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For laying down,
Deeply coloured, the nose offers great aromatic purity, with blackberries, cassis and dark cherries joined by a hint of smoke and coffee bean. It is beautifully complex. On the palate, the wine opens up with a rich and opulent structure. Velvety tannins combine with dark fruit, plum, spicy pepper notes and a touch of dark chocolate. The 2018 is a wine of power – harmonious and concentrated with a lingering mouth-feel. Drink 2024-2035.
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau Margaux,
For laying down,
Yields here are down after the drought and mildew to 31hl/ha. This Pavillon packs quite a punch after the inclusion of some clay-grown Cabernet Sauvignon which was deemed too powerful for the grand vin. This is a big second wine, beautifully perfumed, very classy, but with no sense of heat or heaviness. Drink 2026-2040.
Blend: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Lynch-Bages,
For laying down,
Expectations were high; this is a vintage made for a wine with Lynch's sunny and luxurious personality – naturally it does not disappoint. All the key elements are boisterous, but never to excess, and there is no sense of this being a fruit bomb. Rich cassis and balancing smoky graphite notes complete this splendid, turbo-charged Lynch. Drink 2028-2050.
Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Chateau Pichon Lalande,
For laying down,
This is a wine of presence and power and, yet, also shows a bit more transparency than some, probably from the role played by the Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The finish of the wine, however, is dense, with an accent on spice over fruit, heady and rich, with huge tannins. It’s tempting to under-estimate this wine, but it is certainly well-crafted. Drink 2028-2045.
Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
For laying down,
The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested a bit earlier here than at Lynch, to capture its freshness. Even under its previous ownership, Haut-Batailley was a discreet, finely grained Pauillac and it remains so, but with more polish from the Cazes team. Jean-Charles wryly observed that this is their best-ever Haut-Batailley (it is their second vintage). Drink 2026-2045.
Blend: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot
Blend: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot
For laying down,
Pretty fruit, this is very nicely done, with good density on the palate, which is creamy and dense. It’s full of sweet ripe fruit, but there is also grip and some welcome bite. The 2018 is a very good wine, not compelling – but that isn't D'Armailhac's style. The alcohol is just under 14%, which explains the fresher edge to the wine. Very accomplished. Drink 2023-2025.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste,
For laying down,
Mildew was not really a problem on the estate's surprisingly steep slopes. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested a little earlier here, giving the wine a bit of crunch, although there is still a lovely coating of sweetness around the wine's spine. Quite a voluble “GPL” as well as tasty – it’s what the French call “gourmand”. Drink 2026-2040.
Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot
For laying down,
Evangile has some of the same iron-clay soils as Pétrus, but also 25% gravel. The Cabernet Franc buttresses the ripe, late-harvested Merlot. The wine is super-ripe, the palate dense and powerful. The tannins, not acidity, give texture and bite. The wine is muscular but not on steroids; it is in proportion. Drink 2026-2040.
Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Haut-Brion,
For laying down,
A dense wine, and with a hint of opulence. Jean-Philippe Delmas is not yet sure where the 2018 will sit against 2010, ‘15 and ‘16, but Haut-Brion’s experience dealing with warm vintages means the wine is assured a place at the top table. For all the wine’s intensity, there is also discretion within its velvety, smoky earthiness. Drink 2030-2060.
Blend: 49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 49% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
Berliquet was bought by Chanel in 2017, joining its neighbour Château Canon and sharing its team. There is an ambition to increase the Cabernet Franc to 50%, as limestone dominates the small 10-hectare vineyard. The alcohol is 14.5%, but is imperceptible in the tighter, crunchy and drier style. One of the more forthright St Emilions of the vintage. Drink 2026-2038.
Blend: 78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc
For laying down,
The mildew wasn't too problematic at La Mission, but there was hail – the first for 30 years, although, mercifully, no damage was done. There is a fine sense of equilibrium here, with clearly defined tannins offset by a lovely weight of damson fruit on the palate. La Mission's sterner countenance is also detectable, but the mood remains assured. Drink 2023-2032.
Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Haut-Brion,
For laying down,
The Clarence sets the tone for the Grand Vin beautifully. There is a generous and floral approach before the lovely fluid interplay between tannin and fruit on the palate. The wine then settles and confidently delivers its Haut-Brion calling card of sweet, open-textured savoury fruit. Drink 2023-2032.
Blend: 58% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Blend: 58% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Domaine de Chevalier,
For laying down,
Rémi Edange was very pleased with the yields at 38hl/ha, given the early season conditions. This is another good example of Pessac-Léognan's ability to adapt to the year's challenges. The wine is composed and surprisingly structured, with some redcurrant crunch amongst the juicier, most traditional cassis and creamy notes. Drink 2023-2035.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau la Conseillante,
For laying down,
Winemaker Marielle Cazaux's view was that 2018 allowed the producer to make the wine they want; she was looking for perfume, and to avoid overripening. For her, the fresher Merlot plots were vital. This has simultaneous power and charm. The bouquet is of violet and graphite, the palate is sumptuous and composed. Drink 2026-2040.
Blend: 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Leoville Las Cases,
For laying down,
A lot of the Merlot in this blend is on clay and rather old and, in fact, is being gradually field-grafted over to Cabernet Franc. The huge concentration that this old-vine element imparts can be felt in the rumtopf (macerated fruits) feel. Naturally this gives the wine a rather heady personality, but the nett result is unalloyed pleasure. Drink 2024-2035.
Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Montrose,
For laying down,
The Cabernet Sauvignons were the real success here and there is a bit more in the grand vin as a result, as well as a bit more of the grand vin itself. The cooler terroir gives freshness anyway, but this has the classic Montrose notes of iodine and iron. Under Hervé Berland there is a real sense of control and poise to these wines. Drink 2028-2050.
Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Chateau Talbot,
For laying down,
This is our old friend Jean-Michel Laporte's first vintage here, and it is the start of a new era for Talbot. To build more mid-palate weight, there is more extraction at the start of the fermentation and new oak has also been increased by 10%. The result is the most impressive Talbot for many years, in a deeper and more luxurious style. Drink 2025-2040.
Blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau Gruaud Larose,
For laying down,
The estate has made a big effort this year, with 60% of the crop going to the second wine. The result is a grand vin with real density of fruit. After a gentle extraction at lower temperatures, this doesn't have the tannic intensity of many wines this year, but it does have a lovely generosity and approachability. Drink 2025-2040.
Blend: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Chateau La Gaffeliere,
For laying down,
Alexandre de Malet Roquefort’s family has owned La Gaffelière since 1705. The vineyard is superbly sited by Ausone, with other plots by Pavie and Pavie Macquin, and this potential is beginning to be recognised. The 2018 has fine minerality and perfume, and very sleek tannins. Polished, but not plush, the finish is fine-grained. Drink 2023-2035.
Blend: 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 58% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Troplong Mondot,
For laying down,
Troplong’s terroir can produce one of the sturdiest of the great St Emilions, even supporting a rare St Emilion Côtes sighting of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aymeric de Gironde arrived from Cos d’Estournel in 2017 and is aiming for a lighter touch, with higher yields and less oak. The wine is still structured, toasty and spicy, but much less solid. Feels like progress. Drink 2027-2042.
Blend: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Blend: 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Chateau Trotte Vieille,
For laying down,
Located to the east of the town of St Emilion, Trotte Vieille has some of the oldest vines in Bordeaux, a few of them pre-phylloxera and all of them Cabernet Franc. These contribute a very particular and alluring woodland (sous-bois) character to the wine, and there are mineral and olive notes too. Individual and interesting. Drink 2025-2038.
Blend: 54% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Blend: 54% Cabernet Franc, 44% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Giscours,
For laying down,
The château’s willingness to leave its pickers idle between the last of the Merlots and the first of the Cabernets paid dividends. The joyously expressive Merlot has been captured and the Cabernet Sauvignon, picked with precision, is very detailed. There is a redcurrant bite to the wine, and the palate is focused and tight. Drink 2026-2040.
Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot
Blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot
Blend: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc