Jeb Dunnuck (95)

The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur comes from a massal selection of vines from Château Lafleur planted on the clay and limestone soils in Fronsac. Based on 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot aged 15 months in one-third new French oak, it has a stately, regal style offering medium to full-bodied richness, notes of blackcurrant, black cherries, graphite, chalky minerality, white truffle, and violets, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and building tannins. It shares a similar elegance and seamlessness with its Pomerol counterpoint, yet the high percentage of Cabernet Franc and different terroir give it a style all its own. It's a beautiful wine that needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve for 15+ years. As I wrote after tasting it from barrel, if you find a bottle, you should buy it!

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur comes from a massal selection of vines from Château Lafleur planted on the clay and limestone soils in Fronsac. Based on 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot aged 15 months in one-third new French oak, it has a stately, regal style offering medium to full-bodied richness, notes of blackcurrant, black cherries, graphite, chalky minerality, white truffle, and violets, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and building tannins. It shares a similar elegance and seamlessness with its Pomerol counterpoint, yet the high percentage of Cabernet Franc and different terroir give it a style all its own. It's a beautiful wine that needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve for 15+ years. As I wrote after tasting it from barrel, if you find a bottle, you should buy it!

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2018 Lespault-Martillac is bright, punchy and full of character. I tasted the 2018 three times from barrel and never found it convincing. The bottled wine, on the other hand, is terrific. Inky red fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal all open with time. The 2018 is not super complex, but it is silky, well-balanced and very easy to enjoy. Best of all, readers can enjoy it with minimal cellaring.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2018 Lestage Simon has a ripe, quite opulent but focused bouquet of mainly red fruit (strawberry and raspberry), floral tones and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent, fleshy opening, but there is also satisfying structure and grip to this Haut-Médoc. Blood orange lingers on the aftertaste. Very fine.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty blueberries and light wet earth with minerals and lavender. Medium to full body and firm tannins. Lots of of stone character. This has almost 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the blend now (50 per cent more), which gives it real line and length. Racy.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty blueberries and light wet earth with minerals and lavender. Medium to full body and firm tannins. Lots of of stone character. This has almost 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the blend now (50 per cent more), which gives it real line and length. Racy.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty blueberries and light wet earth with minerals and lavender. Medium to full body and firm tannins. Lots of of stone character. This has almost 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon in the blend now (50 per cent more), which gives it real line and length. Racy.

Imbibe in the elegance of Loudenne 2018, a fine vintage from the esteemed Château Loudenne, the "Pink Castle" of Bordeaux. As one of Médoc's iconic producers, Château Loudenne encases their deep-rooted prowess in each bottle. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a finesse of Merlot, the harmonious Loudenne 2018 boasts a well-balanced structure with a delightful complexity.

Vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks before aging in French oak barrels, this gem delivers a sophisticated palate of blackberries, cherries, and traces of spice cushioned by supple tannins. The vineyards' proximity to the Gironde Estuary gives the Loudenne 2018 a distinctive maritime influence, unfolding layers of flavour with moments on the tongue.

Experience the soul of craftsmanship with the Loudenne 2018, a vivid reflection of its historic terroir. Adorned with an expressive nose, notable body, and a lingering finish, it's an ensemble that exalts the senses, bestowing the grace of Bordeaux in every sip.

Tasting Loudenne Blanc 2018 is like an intimate journey to the Medoc region of Bordeaux. This exquisitely bright golden wine, delicately blended from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, enchants with a harmonious arrangement of tropical fruits, citrus, and white flowers.

Produced by Loudenne, an estate with a rich past dating back to the 17th century, this vintage testifies to the meticulous, yet non-interventionist way in which every Loudenne wine is crafted. The grapes are hand-picked at maturity and gently pressed; the juice is vinified at low temperature to retain the fullest aromatic complexity. It is then matured on fine lees, enhancing its texture and depth.

Loudenne Blanc 2018’s opulence, freshness, and eloquent expression of its unique terroir have earned global recognition. It embodies the quintessence of Bordeaux white wines, making each sip an unforgettable experience.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty and bright fruit, such as blackcurrants and blackberries. Full body and tight, firm tannins that are polished and beautiful. Gorgeous.

James Suckling (93-94)

Very pretty and bright fruit, such as blackcurrants and blackberries. Full body and tight, firm tannins that are polished and beautiful. Gorgeous.

Wine Advocate (93-95)

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James Suckling (97-98)

Exceptional depth and power to this, at an early stage, with dark-berry, chocolate, toasted-oak and walnut character. Tight and compact. Fine-grained tannins. About one-third co-fermented with cabernet franc and merlot. Could be one of the best from here.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2018 Malartic Lagravière is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur. Inky dark fruit, dried herbs, licorice, lavender and chocolate are all kicked up in this sumptuous Pessac-Léognan. Soft curves and silky tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2018 is undeniably flashy and alluring, I loved it.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2018 Malartic Lagravière is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur. Inky dark fruit, dried herbs, licorice, lavender and chocolate are all kicked up in this sumptuous Pessac-Léognan. Soft curves and silky tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2018 is undeniably flashy and alluring, I loved it.

James Suckling (97-98)

A structured and muscular Malescot with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Big wine for this producer.

James Suckling (97-98)

A structured and muscular Malescot with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Big wine for this producer.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 2018 Château Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake with hints of redcurrant jelly, rose oil, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a touch of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit, fragrant earth and floral layers, supported by a rock-solid structure of exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless backbone of freshness, finishing with fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, approachable and absolutely delicious right now. But, to enjoy its full glory, you will want to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and then watch it metamorphize over the next 40+ years.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 2018 Château Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake with hints of redcurrant jelly, rose oil, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a touch of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit, fragrant earth and floral layers, supported by a rock-solid structure of exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless backbone of freshness, finishing with fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, approachable and absolutely delicious right now. But, to enjoy its full glory, you will want to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and then watch it metamorphize over the next 40+ years.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 2018 Château Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake with hints of redcurrant jelly, rose oil, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a touch of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit, fragrant earth and floral layers, supported by a rock-solid structure of exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless backbone of freshness, finishing with fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, approachable and absolutely delicious right now. But, to enjoy its full glory, you will want to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and then watch it metamorphize over the next 40+ years.