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The second wine from Calon Ségur, the 2018 Le Marquis De Calon Segur shows the ripe, sexy side to the vintage and has terrific blackcurrant and red plum-like fruits as well as lots of tobacco and cedary spice aromas and flavors. Close to an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this full-bodied, gorgeously texture, balanced Saint-Estate should be snatched up by readers. It's in the running for the top second wine of the vintage!Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDPlenty of blackcurrant and blackberry aromas with hints of black truffle and mushroom. It’s medium-bodied with an attractive core of cool fruit and a flavorful finish. Wet-earth undertone. Second wine of Calon Segur. Drink after 2025.James Suckling | 93 JSThe second wine of Chäteau Calon Ségur, this is luscious and massively dense, with black-plum fruits backed by velvet tannins and acidity. It shows power along with good potential for aging. Drink from 2026.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEThe 2018 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur is a blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon (14.9% alcohol). It is anticipated to age for 17 months in barriques, 30% new. Deep purple-black in color, it gives up opulent scents of Indian spices, menthol and plum preserves with a core of crème de cassis, baked cherries and raspberry pie plus a hint of sandalwood. Big, rich, full-bodied and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it has bags of black fruit preserves and exotic spices with a firm, plush frame, finishing long with a minty lift. Definitely one for the hedonists!Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 92-94 RPCinnamon, cloves and touches of reduction. The plump and powerful fruits of St-Estèphe are clear, along with some pretty knitted-down tannins. Drinking Window 2025 - 2038.Decanter | 91 DEC

The 2018 Peyrabon is fulfilling its promise from barrel. It has a well-defined and focused bouquet of lively blackberry and briary scents, touches of cedar and tobacco coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and a fine lattice of tannins that impress, considering this is a Bordeaux Supérieur with excellent length. Bon vin!Vinous Media | 91 VMSweet black cherry and blackberry fruits, with good balance and freshness on the finish. Mouthwatering, with touches of grilled rosemary, pepper and woodsmoke. A consistent success rate at this property that is owned by Millésima négociants. Vineyards of gravel and sand soils over a clay subsoil. A yield of 22hl/ha, aged in 25% new oak. Drinking Window 2022 - 2038.Decanter | 91 DECBlackcurrant, tea-leaf, mocha and some praline aromas. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Flavorful and structured. Drink from 2022.James Suckling | 90 JS

The 2018 Grand-Pontet is gorgeous and extroverted, just as it was en primeur. A blast of dark fruit, chocolate, mocha, leather and licorice hits the palate. Rich and resonant on the palate, the 2018 exudes raciness from start to finish. Soft curves add to the wine's considerable appeal. The 2018 really blossoms with a bit of air.Antonio Galloni | 92 AGUnusual blend for St-Emilion with a high proportion of Malbec, and there is no question that it comes through in a deeply spiced cinnamon and black pepper punch through the mid-palate. Different profile aromatically from the palate, with big tannins and a whoosh tick of fresh mint through the mid-palate, alongside cool blue fruit and a ton of black chocolate. A little less St-Emilion typicity perhaps, and the rich spice puts the focus on a slightly hard finish rather that salinity from the limestone soils (no doubt accentuated by low yields of 19hl/ha), but there is a lot to recommend, and it provides an enjoyable look at where St-Emilion might go in the future to cope with warmer vintages. Excellent violet rim. Jean-Philippe Fort is consultant at this property, which is owned by the Pourquet-Becot family. 90% new oak. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040.Decanter | 92 DECPolished aromas of blueberry, dried lavender, cedar and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied with firm, caressing tannins that frame a core of ripe fruit. 39% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon, 39% cabernet franc and 12% malbec. Try from 2024.James Suckling | 92 JSDeep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Grand-Pontet—a blend of 39% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Cabernet Franc and 12% Malbec—comes prancing out of the glass with flamboyant notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by suggestions of cinnamon stick, cumin seed and ground cloves with a waft of unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers bags of spicy black and blue fruit flavors, framed by velvety tannins and lovely freshness, finishing with a minty lift.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 92 RPLots of ripe black raspberry, cassis, and graphite notes emerge from the 2018 Château Grand-Pontet, another beautiful Saint-Emilion from this estate, which appears to be on an upward trajectory. With medium to full-bodied richness, silky, polished tannins, and a focused, elegant texture, it's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for a decade. If it gains more mid-palate depth as well as richness over the coming couple of years, it will warrant an even higher rating.Jeb Dunnuck | 91+ JD

This is pretty powerful. Extremely tight dark fruits right now - quite a change in profile from a decade ago, now showing brambled blackberries and cassis, majoring on Cabernet characteristics. Delicious, savoury and sappy, with crushed mint on the finish. A yield of 42hl/ha. Ageing in 50% new oak (mainly large-format casks). (Drink between 2026-2040)Decanter | 94 DECThe estate is surrounded by the suburbs of the city of Libourne and this wine is produced by the team at Château Cheval Blanc. That combination has produced a sequence of fine wines, like this release. Rich fruits have been given a sheen of wood aging and crafted tannins to make a wine that will age well. Drink from 2026.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEQuinault l’Enclos comes from off a very gravelly soil with great drainage, but there’s not a lot of water during dry periods. Adeptly produced by the team of Cheval Blanc (who purchased the estate in 2008), the wine nonetheless maintained its poise under the dry and warm ripening conditions of 2018, coming in at a respectable pH of 3.67 and relatively moderate alcohol of 14.1%. The 2018 Quinault l’Enclos has a deep garnet-purple color and beautifully expressed notes of baked black cherries, ripe black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of violets, dark chocolate, star anise and tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palate has a gorgeous velvety texture and oodles of freshness supporting the perfumed black fruits, finishing long and fragrant. This vintage is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak and the rest in one-year-old 500-liter barrels and foudres. It is tempting to drink this right now, but give it two years in the cellar for full impact and enjoy it over the next 17+ years.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93+ RPThe 2018 Quinault L’Enclos is so impressive. Bright and delineated, the 2018 pulses with energy from start to finish. The aromatics alone are just captivating, with floral and savory notes that soar out of the glass. Lavender, sage, menthol, licorice, crushed rocks and plum all build as the 2018 shows off its considerable allure. The 2018 is such a gorgeous wine.Antonio Galloni | 93 AGComing from a walled vineyard near the town of Libourne, the 2018 Château Quinault L’Enclos reveals a dense ruby/purple color to go with lots of earthy red and black currant fruits, truffle, leather, camphor, and bouquet garni-like nuances. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it needs plenty of air to show at its best, so don’t be afraid to give bottles a healthy decant if drinking any time soon. It should have two decades of overall longevity.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDA juicy red with creamy, polished tannins and attractive blackberry, blackcurrant, wet-earth and bark flavors. Rich finish. Needs time to come together, but already very attractive. Try after 2024.James Suckling | 93 JS

Aromas of blackberries, dried lavender, black olives, tobacco, herbs and some smoked meat. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Layered and concentrated with a sleek, savory finish. 85% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 3% malbec. Better from 2022.James Suckling | 93 JSComing from the talented Thienpont team, the 2018 Château Puygueraud is a juicy, up-front, undeniably delicious 2018 offering lots of perfumed, floral, and violet notes, sumptuous blue fruits, medium-bodied richness, and a juicy, balanced, lengthy style that keeps you coming back to the glass. The balance is spot on, as is the purity of fruit, and it’s ideal for enjoying any time over the coming decade. The blend is 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDThis is great stuff and highly drinkable with a wonderful richness on the nose and palate. It’s pretty fierce in fact and has real impact with the austerity of the mid palate quickly filled out by rich sweet black cherry fruit and a deeply spiced finish. The harvest took place between 24 September and 5 October. (Drink between 2021-2028)Decanter | 92 DEC

Made of 100% Merlot, the 2018 Bellevue has a deep garnet-purple color and a profound nose of plum preserves, blackberry compote and stewed black cherries, followed by an undercurrent of cedar chest, violets, aniseed and iron ore with a touch of garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate packs the mouth with wonderfully energetic black fruits and a lively backbone, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.Bellevue is the pretty little vineyard poised just above Château Angelus in Saint-Émilion. The soils here are clay/limestone, and it is planted to 100% Merlot.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2018 Bellevue has a gorgeous bouquet of copious red berry fruit, crushed rock, rose petals and cedar scents that gain intensity with aeration. The fresh, vibrant palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, perfect acidity, precise mineral drive and a classy finish. This is a superb Bellevue that lives up to its promise from barrel.Vinous Media | 93 VMLots of red and blue fruits, violets, orange blossom, and more exotic notes emerge from the 2018 Château Bellevue. Medium to full-bodied, it offers beautiful purity, ripe tannins, and a good spine of acidity that keeps everything fresh and vibrant. Beautifully done, it will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of 15 years or more.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDThere is clear austerity on the approach, with the fruit pulling inwards through the mid-palate before widening out. It has an impressive texture with fleshy plum and ripe red apple fruit. You can feel the softness of the tannins, gently laying in wait, and this gets pretty big on the juicy, seductive finish, where there’s a ton of liquorice to fall into. An organically-certified estate owned by the de Bouard family. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040. Decanter | 93 DEC

Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, herbs and cedar. It’s full-bodied with elegant tannins. Fleshy and well balanced on the palate. Beautiful, pure fruit at the finish. Second wine of Talbot. Try after 2023.James Suckling | 92 JSThe 2018 Connétable de Talbot has a fragrant bouquet with black cherries, blueberry and light crushed stone aromas. The oak is nicely integrated (15%). The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and plenty of freshness on the structured, graphite tinged finish. This is simply the best Connétable de Talbot that I have tasted.Vinous Media | 89-91 VMBright, ripe and defined, with bay, violet, cassis and dark plum fruit all racing along in unison. Excellent energy and tension through the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 18,335 cases made. Wine Spectator | 90 WSFilled with gourmet notes of chocolate shavings and brioche, with sweet black fruits and firm tannins. This is an enjoyable second wine with well-ripened fruits and a charcoal edge through the finish. A little austere as things close out. The tannins have a pretty muscular bite to them. (Drink between 2023-2036)Decanter | 90 DEC

Stylish, with creamed plum and cherry reduction notes carried by a velvety structure, picking up anise, black tea and incense accents along the way. The finish is detailed and finely grained, with a subtle minerality lingering at the very end. Drink now through 2032. 6,317 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WSEmerging from the Cuvelier family, with advice from Michel Rolland, the 2018 Château Côte De Baleau offers a big, exuberant style that carries lots of kirsch liqueur, blueberries, toasted spice, sandalwood, and balsam-like aromas and flavors. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and mouth-filling, it brings lots of classic 2018 fruit yet also has ripe tannins, a balanced, layered style, and outstanding length. It’s ideal for drinking any time over the coming 10-15 years. (Drink between 2021-2036)Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDRed fruit, blackcurrants and vanilla. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a fleshy texture. Mellow, but with a certain structure due to the wood. Clean, medium-long finish. Try after 2023.James Suckling | 92 JSWell-textured with slate and charcoal giving a sense of minerality, along with cassis, blueberry, black cherry and chocolate. A ton of character, enjoyable. (Drink between 2023-2040)Decanter | 91 DEC

Pretty aromas of blueberries, violets, dark chocolate and cedar. It’s full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins. Polished and creamy with a core of ripe black and blue fruit. Try from 2024.James Suckling | 94 JSA gorgeous second wine, the 2016 La Dame de Montrose is incredibly expressive today. Supple, radiant and inviting, La Dame has all the potential to be an overachiever in this vintage. Today, it is quite open, and, even more importantly, flat-out delicious. In some moments, La Dame is rather nuanced, while at other times it is a bit more potent. It will be interesting to see what aging in bottle brings, but one thing is certain; the 2016 La Dame is a stellar wine. Don’t miss it.Antonio Galloni | 93 AGRelatively open and welcoming even at this early stage. Aromatics of cedar oak, followed by sweet black cherry fruit through the palate. A lighter-framed Pomerol, but one that is attractive, well-paced, carefully spiced and with a real sense of personality. Enjoyable stuff from director Eric Monneret and consultant Hubert de Boüard. (Drink between 2024-2042)Decanter | 92 DECComposed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 La Pointe has a deep garnet-purple color and quite a cedary nose to begin over a core of warm black cherries, blackberry pie and spice cake plus nuances of mossy bark, pencil shavings and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, chewy texture and soft freshness enveloping the muscular, savory layers, finishing a little drying.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 89-91 RPVery caressing in feel, with a silky structure that lets steeped plum, fig and blackberry fruit flavors sail through unencumbered. Subtle black tea and sweet tobacco accents fill in on the fine-grained finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 4,830 cases made. Wine Spectator | 91 WSLots of spiced darker cherry and currant fruits as well as savory herbs, damp earth, and cedar emerge from the 2018 Château La Pointe, another rich, concentrated yet seamless Pomerol in 2018 that has tons to love. Showing more chocolate and spice with time in the glass, it has plenty of mid-palate depth, soft, integrated tannins, and is already hard to resist. It should nevertheless gain additional complexity with 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade.Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JDWhile this wine does have density and a tannic layer, its open accessible character promises medium-term aging. Ripe blackberries and acidity come through with attractive freshness. Drink from 2024.Wine Enthusiast | 90 WE

From the partner estate to Château Giscours, this wine is as elegant as you would expect. While it is structured, it also has ripe fruits, rich tannins and great potential. The dry and firm core of this wine will propel it forward. Drink from 2027.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEVery seductive, with warmed plum sauce, cassis and raspberry confiture flavors stitched together with singed sandalwood and light mineral notes. Ends with a velvety edge while a flash of alder darts in the background. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036.Wine Spectator | 94 WSThe 2018 Château Du Tertre is solid, offering an attractive bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla bean, dried flowers, balsam (which I always seem to find in this wine), and sandalwood. It’s beautifully complex, has medium-bodied richness, moderate tannins, and a forward, charming, already delicious style that’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 15 years. (Drink between 2021-2036)James Suckling | 94 JSThe 2018 Château Du Tertre is solid, offering an attractive bouquet of red and black fruits, vanilla bean, dried flowers, balsam (which I always seem to find in this wine), and sandalwood. It’s beautifully complex, has medium-bodied richness, moderate tannins, and a forward, charming, already delicious style that’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 15 years. (Drink between 2021-2036)Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JD Brushed grilled cedar edge on the nose here, deep silky texture and lots of lovely fruit. Touches of heat on the finish but a clear bitter chocolate ending keeps things focused. 50% new oak. 14% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. (Drink between 2026-2042)Decanter | 92 DECJust as it was from barrel, the 2018 du Tertre is a powerful, virile wine. Game, scorched earth, incense, savory herbs, licorice and tobacco lend a distinctive aromatic profile. On the palate, the 2018 comes across as a bit compact, but otherwise it is nicely done.Antonio Galloni | 91 AGMedium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 du Tertre delivers a good intensity of stewed black plums, kirsch and black raspberry notes, plus hints of dried Provence herbs, tobacco leaf and cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate offers plenty of red and black fruit preserves flavors with a soft texture and loads of freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90 RP

The 2018 Grand Mayne keeps everything under wraps on the nose, at least for the first 60 minutes, then it blossoms to offer gorgeous pure blackberry, briary, crushed stone and light rose petal aromas. The new oak is beautifully integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, superb acidity, gentle grip and an almost symmetrical finish of laser-like precision. An outstanding Grand Mayne, certainly one of the finest in recent years.Vinous Media | 94 VMVibrant and fruity nose of blackberries, currants, cherries, violets, licorice and pine needles. Full-bodied with firm, broad tannins. Plenty of concentration and ripe dark fruit with a floral undertone. Try in 2023.James Suckling | 93 JSA rich, perfumed wine, this has ripe black-fruit and vanilla flavors. Dense tannins from both from the wood and the fruit add spice and smokiness to this full wine. The firmness needs to soften into the fruit, so wait to drink until 2026. Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEMedium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Grand Mayne sashays out of the glass with flashy, upfront notes of preserved plums, stewed black cherries and blackberry pie, plus hints of eucalyptus, wild sage, lavender and cloves. The full-bodied palate is seductively fruity with a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a spicy kick.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 92 RPThe 2018 Château Grand Mayne is terrific and has a masculine, age-worthy style. A deep ruby hue is followed by a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated Saint-Emilion with notable chalky minerality, loads of sumptuous blackberry fruits, notes of chocolate and leafy herbs, firm, present, yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. It shows a more backward, reserved side to the vintage, yet I love its purity of fruit, its balance, and its overall class. Hide bottles for 4-5 years, and it should keep for two decades. (Drink between 2025-2045)Jeb Dunnuck | 92+ JDPowerful, confident, liquorice and black cherry, this is a big-shouldered wine as it was en primeur. It’s not yet softening to fully release the tight fruits, but this has a ton of promise. (Drink between 2026-2042)Decanter | 92 DEC

The 2018 Clos de l’Oratoire is an absolutely gorgeous wine that needs quite some time to release all of its aromatic intensity, nuance and energy. Bright floral notes soar over a core of dense, red-toned fruit as the 2018 gradually shows off its considerable allure. The 2018 is vivid and striking, with character to burn.Antonio Galloni | 95 AGThe team of Stephan von Neipperg knocked it out of the park in 2018, producing a brilliant lineup of wines. The 2018 Clos De L’Oratoire checks in as 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 45% new French oak. As with most of the new releases here, it has a crunchy, vibrant style in its blue fruits, scorched earth, violets, cedarwood, and dried flower-like aromas and flavors. Beautifully balanced, pure, elegant, and seamless, this incredibly classy Saint-Emilion is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age (if not longer) and evolve for 30 years in cold cellars. It’s certainly in the running for the finest vintage I’ve tasted.Jeb Dunnuck | 95+ JDAromas of fresh blackberries, dried leaves, bitter chocolate, lemon zest and walnuts. Some wet earth, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Tight, focused layers. Rather juicy wine. Better from 2025.James Suckling | 94 JSThe 2018 Clos de l’Oratoire sports a deep garnet-purple color and rock-star nose of plum preserves, chocolate-covered cherries and mulberries, plus hints of candied violets, licorice and Sichuan pepper with a waft of tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with juicy black fruits plus loads of exotic spice and earthy accents, supported by very ripe, soft tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPA mix of dried herb, floral and steeped cherry and damson plum notes is layered tightly together, while mouthwatering sanguine and iron hints run alongside. Sandalwood edge to the finish. A long, very precise, mineral-driven style. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2032. 4,000 cases made. Wine Spectator | 93 WSDeep plum colour, this has the rich texture and multi-layered dried herbs and spice feel that you often get with Clos de l’Oratoire. Juicy damson fruits come in through the mid palate and this is big and confident, and well balanced by slate minerality through the finish. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040.Decanter | 93 DEC

The second wine of Château Ausone, always produced in limited quantities, provides a fine echo of the top wine. Bold tannins and fine perfumes give this wine richness and excellent potential. Layers of black fruits are impeccable, right in the balance with the wine’s texture. This will certainly age, drinkable from 2026.Wine Enthusiast | 96 WEThe 2018 Chapelle D’Ausone is another second wine that can easily compete with most estates’ top wines. Coming from a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that will spend 20 months in oak, it tastes like a mini Château Ausone with its beautiful limestone minerality and sweet black fruits, spice, and graphite aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, with building structure, it’s a serious second wine that’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95+ JDA red with black berry, blue berry, iodine, muscle shell and hot stone character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied and very tight with a compact palate of beautiful fruit with a minerally undertone. Very long and polished. Fine yet structure. Try after 2025.James Suckling | 95 JSThe 2018 Chapelle d’Ausone is made of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, as impenetrable as this wine’s big-brother grand vin wine is, this is the precocious, show-off younger sibling. It comes skipping out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries, stewed plums and Black Forest cake, giving way to suggestions of rose oil, dusty soil and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black and red berry layers, framed by beautifully ripe, finely grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Delicious right now, if money’s no object, buy this and the grand vin. The 2018 Ausone is going to take a good few years to come around, but this second wine offers a true enough taste of that epic feast of a wine to come.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94+ RPChapelle d’Ausone might very well be the best second wine in Bordeaux in 2018, and it is certainly a lot more compelling than many top cuvées. Inky, deep and voluptuous, the Chapelle shows all of the natural suppleness of Merlot to great effect. Soft curves and silky tannins round things out in style. It is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty from the Vauthier family. Simply magnificent.Antonio Galloni | 94 AGYou definitely get the brushed damson fruits and slight grilled notes of oak, but it is oh-so carefully handled, and just gives the most gorgeous blend; 80% young vines up to 10 years old (planted at 12,000 vines per hectare), plus some lots that didn’t make it into the first wine. That makes this an extremely successful Chapelle with just so much personality and depth. Such incredible precision here to the freshly crushed mint leaves. This is an expensive second wine, but it absolutely delivers the ’wow’ factor. 20 months in barrel, 100% new oak, as per Ausone, but pure limestone so it just sucks it up. Normally 20,000 bottles of Ausone and 5-6,000 bottles of Chapelle. A high Silver. And a yield now up to around 37-40hl/ha. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2040Decanter | 93 DEC

The 2018 Franc-Mayne is vibrant, lifted and full of energy, just as it was en primeur. Freshly cut flowers, rose petal, mint, sage and lavender abound. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, Franc-Mayne has a ton to offer. It is one of the more elegant, classy wines of the year.Antonio Galloni | 94 AGAromas of cherries, plums, flowers and cedar. It’s full-bodied with very fine tannins that show finesse and polish. Lovely length. The tannin texture is excellent. Extremely well done. Try after 2024.James Suckling | 94 JSBased on 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Château Franc Mayne is a pretty, complex, medium to full-bodied Saint-Emilion revealing lots of red and blue fruits, flowers, spice, and sappy herb/sous bois-like nuances. With considerable elegance and purity on the palate, this is a more ethereal, seamless wine, delivering terrific tannins, a juicy yet integrated spine of acidity, and outstanding length. It’s certainly the finest wine I’ve tasted from this estate to date, and the 2019 also looks to be another great vintage here, so this is an estate to keep your eye on.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDA blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Franc-Mayne comes wafting out of the glass with a compelling perfume of raspberry preserves, baked plums and boysenberries plus hints of cinnamon stick, rose hip tea and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers juicy red and black berry flavor layers with a soft texture and plenty of freshness, finishing spicy.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RPThis has an uplift from beginning to end, with blackberry and raspberry fruits, but overall this is feeling pretty austere at this point in its life. There is good spice and plenty of potential to improve over the next few years in bottle. Lighter-framed in style overall, with subtle smoke across the closing moments of the wine. A yield of 45hl/ha.Drinking Window: 2024 - 2040.Decanter | 91 DECWith 90% Merlot, this wine has density and ripe, jammy fruits. Dark chocolate and firm tannins contrast with the fruitiness, giving the structure for this solid wine to age. Drink from 2026.Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE

Shimmering ruby. Powerful blackberry, cherry and licorice aromas are complicated by suggestions of smoky minerals and violet. Well-concentrated and broad in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors enlivened by a snap of cracked pepper. Slowly building tannins frame the finish, which lingers with very good, dark-fruit-driven persistence.Vinous Media | 91 VMThe light tannins are beautifully textured and encase vivid raspberry and currant flavors matched with woodsy spice, licorice and floral details. Undertones of mineral and spice sail through the tangy finish. Drink now through 2026. 5,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 91 WSFull blackberry fruit, generous body and lively acidity make this Moulin-à-Vent easy to enjoy, and the well drafted balance of discreet tannins and mineral acidity at the finish provides very satisfying harmony. Drink now.James Suckling | 90 JS

Pretty ripe fruit with berry, walnut and chocolate character on the nose and palate. Medium to full body, round tannins and a savory finish. Drinkable now, but better in 2022.James Suckling | 92 JS

A full-bodied powerhouse as well as a perfect wine, the 2018 Château Montrose is a final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 60% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple hue as well as awesome levels of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits and notes of tobacco, lead pencil, scorched earth, and chocolate, it’s deep, opulent, and incredibly concentrated on the palate, with no shortage of mid-palate depth, tannins, or length. It reminds me a little of a fresher version of the 2003, although there’s more Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018 as well as less Merlot. It has that classic Montrose minerality and backward, mineral-laced style, yet I suspect this will be drinkable in just 5-6 years and should evolve into a modern-day legend from this terroir.Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JDThe 2018 Montrose is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a good amount of air to unlock the vibrant scents of crushed blackberries, preserved plums and cassis with suggestions of star anise, cedar chest, underbrush, Indian spices and iron ore, plus an emerging waft of violets. The full-bodied palate features the most exquisitely ripe tannins, offering a rock-solid backbone with tons of freshness lifting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and mineral laced. Going back to this wine over a period of hours and then days further reveals a Montrose of great opulence, richness and depth. Incidentally, the IPT level this year is 82, which indicates a very high level of tannins, and yet they are so, so ripe. The alcohol is around 14.5%. But sit back, close your eyes and forget the numbers—this is pure hedonism in its youth with a fantastic 40+ years of cellaring ahead of it, during the course of which do not be at all surprised if you are blown away by a three-digit experience.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98+ RPRich and deep with beautifully nuanced dark chocolate, mocha, cocoa bean and liquorice. Just full of understated power and silky tannins. This is gorgeous and among my top wines of the Left Bank. As it opens in the glass you get sweet black cherry and cassis flesh, and a sense of lilting sappiness. Great stuff from Montrose. Drinking Window 2028 - 2045.Decanter | 98 DECPurity and beauty on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, crushed-stone and violet character. A full-bodied red with masses of polished tannins and intense flavors of currants and blackberries. Juicy finish. Super depth to this. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2027.James Suckling | 98 JSThe 2018 Montrose is dazzling. Whereas so many 2018s are opulent and broad, Montrose is a wine of vertical explosive power. Ripe Cabernet aromatics soar out of the glass, making a strong first impression. Black cherry, leather, licorice, graphite and menthol develop later as the 2018 starts to open in the glass. The energy, vibrancy and drive here are palpable right out of the gate. Montrose is one of real stars of 2018. Don’t miss it!Antonio Galloni | 97 AGThis wine confirms the place of Montrose among the top Bordeaux estates. With its rich tannins and powerful structure, it exudes concentration and density. But the wine also shows a sense of style. Fruit purity will make it impressive and allow it to age for many years. Drink this wine from 2028.Wine Enthusiast | 97 WEDark and winey, with a well-built core laden with cassis and dark plum puree while flashes of anise, lilac and charcoal fill in throughout. Finish has hints of chestnut and warm earth for a burly edge, but there’s ample fruit for balance. Plenty grippy in the end too; cellaring required. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.Wine Spectator | 95 WS

The 2018 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a rock star of a wine and is based on a unique blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 29% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Offering a deep ruby/purple color as well as a thrilling bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, violets, damp earth, and truffle, it hits the palate with a full-bodied yet almost understated, building style that carries ripe, supple tannins, gorgeous amounts of smoky black fruits, and an endearing, layered, multi-dimensional texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. A dead ringer for a great vintage of Haut-Brion, it is far from unapproachable today yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age for the fireworks to develop and will have 50-years or more of longevity! Hats off to Guillaume Pouthier for a magical, seamless, singular beauty!Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JDThis throws off a stream of cassis, cherry preserves and raspberry fruit that is pure and bright, laced with a racy mineral edge through the finish. Stands apart from the pack for its purity and finesse. Really beautiful. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.Wine Spectator | 95-98 WSA beautiful nuance of salty caramel is clear even on the nose. On the palate, the concentration and focus is immediately clear, uplifted by touches of gentle salinity. There is really a sense of place and of being itself which I always love about this wine. It’s closed of course, but with an unrolling of sappy black fruits, and a freshness that gives you confidence in its future. So much pleasure to be had here, with notes of chocolate, peony and liquorice. Extremely successful, as it was en primeur. 3.62pH. 53% whole-bunch fermentation. IPT95. Harvested 13-28 September. Ageing is mostly in large oak casks, 76% new, plus 9% aged in amphorae. Drinking Window 2026 - 2044.Decanter | 98 DECThe 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a total knock-out, just as it was from barrel. Soaring in its aromatic intensity, Les Carmes dazzles from the very first taste. Inky red fruits, mocha, new leather, licorice, dried flowers, sage and mint envelop all the senses. Today, the 2018 appears to be slightly closed, but time brings out tons of aromatic energy and nuance. Cabernet Franc plays the leading role, unusual for this part of the region. Franc aromatics and a fair amount of whole cluster savoriness lend energy but also a feeling of richness without weight that is especially appealing. This is a masterpiece from Les Carmes Haut-Brion and Technical Director Guillaume Pouthier.Antonio Galloni | 97 AGThe essence of black fruit here, offering blackberry and brambleberry aromas with dried flowers and licorice. Crushed stones and some iodine, as well as nuts. Full-bodied palate that opens and delivers an encompassing mouth feel of fine, creamy tannins. Some whole-berry fermentation. A special wine with elegance and complexity. Try after 2026, but already so in tune.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2018 Les Carmes Haut-Brion is composed of 37% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. It was made using 52% whole cluster and has 13.75% alcohol. It was aged in 75% new oak barriques, 16% foudres and 9% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing before bursting from the glass with vibrant scents blackberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, mulberries and Black Forest cake, leading to an undercurrent of pencil lead, black truffles, cast-iron pan and charcoal with an emerging waft of violets. The elegantly crafted, medium-bodied palate dances with red and black fruits before bursting into earth and mineral sparks. It has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and savory. The stem tannins lend this wine a firmness and textural interest, which should integrate further with another 5-6 years in barrel, allowing the nuances to shine through even more, then you can continue to enjoy its slow evolution for a further 30+ years.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RPThis wine has bold, ripe black fruits and fine acidity. Its structure shows well through the fruitiness of the wine. This will certainly age well.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Pitray features bright, expressive wild blueberries, black raspberries and warm plums scents with hints of spice cake and potpourri. Full-bodied, the palate is laden with juicy blue and black fruits, framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with beautiful purity.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90-92 RPWell textured, velvety fruits sit on a firm and fresh palate. This is good quality, stretching out in the mouth with tannins that are fully supportive of the project, not getting in the way but cheerleading as the fruit takes its first steps. There is so much to enjoy in the smaller appellations this year. Drinking Window 2022 - 2031.Decanter | 91 DECThis grand chateau on its hillside surveys a 150-acre vineyard. The top wine from the estate, this is mainly wood aged, giving polish as well as perfumed black-currant fruitiness. With its ripe tannins, the wine will easily age. Drink from 2023.Wine Enthusiast | 91 WEA juicy, flavorful red that is delicious now, offering plum, chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm tannins and a savory finish. Nice acidity, too. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 90 JS

Cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit is all packed into this wine, along with tar, violet and roasted apple wood notes, plus a terrific tug of warm earth. Shows lots of energy in reserve, with a tightly knit finish pulling everything together. Cellaring required. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2040. 11,600 cases made.Wine Spectator | 97 WSThis estate has been on fire in recent vintages, and the 2018 Château Léoville Barton is up there with the best of them. Based on 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that was brought up in 60% new French oak, this classic, flawlessly balanced, straight-up awesome Saint-Julien has loads of cassis and mulberry fruits as well as notes of freshly sharpened pencils, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and earth. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has building tannins and healthy acidity, yet the fruit is pure, perfectly ripe, and wonderfully integrated with all the wine’s components. As is normal with this cuvée, it closes down with extended air and is going to take a solid 8-10 years of bottle age to reach the early stages of maturity. It’s going to evolve for 30-40 years in cold cellars.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDSweet berries, blackberries, raspberries and violets follow through to a full body with extremely creamy, polished tannins that caress the palate. It’s really long and polished. Gorgeous finish. Drink after 2025.James Suckling | 97 JSIn this wine, fine and rich tannins partner with powerful black-plum and black-currant fruits. Densely textured while also having swathes of rich fruits, the wine shows both a firm side and one that offers total deliciousness. As it matures, both these aspects will come together. Drink from 2027.Wine Enthusiast | 97 WEThe 2018 Léoville-Barton is a gorgeous, exotic wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves race out of the glass. The 2018 marries the natural opulence of the year with a pretty classic sense of structure, making for one of the more compelling wines of the year. I would give this a good decade in the cellar. There is much to look forward to. I especially admire the energy and poise here.Antonio Galloni | 96 AGWell-polished blackcurrant, cassis and bilberry, everything pretty silky and firm. Not fully showing its generosity at this point but no question that it is going to get there soon. Clear charcoal, graphite and woodsmoke as it opens up. A ton of life ahead, and an appealing sense of mint freshness. Lives up to its en primeur promise - this is Léoville Barton at its most confident. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040Decanter | 96 DECDeep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Léoville Barton needs a little swirling to coax out delicate notions of fresh blackberries, mulberries and cassis, plus touches of pencil shavings, clove oil, charcoal and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a great intensity of earth and mineral-laced black fruit flavors, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Give it a good 4-5 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20 years+.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94+ RP