Médoc Crus Classés
Château Léoville-Barton 2018
Saint-Julien, Cru Classé
The nose is elegant, precise and offers complexity full of finesse, a certain power and a multi-layer side. It reveals notes of fresh blackberry, ripe wild strawberry and small notes of small ripe wild black fruits associated with a touch of violet as well as fine hints of toasted, vanilla, a subtle hint of camphor, cardamom, a discreet hint of cuben pepper and ripe almond. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, freshness, a good definition, gourmandize, a certain tension, suavity as well as a good structure, a small power, a very discreetly tight grain and a beautiful multi-layer side. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, bright cassis and small notes of wild strawberry associated with touches of lily, a racy minerality, small fleshy fruits as well as a hint of fleshy plum, cherry, mocha, toasted hazelnut, a discreet hint of sweet spices, toasted oak and hazelnut. An imperceptible hint of fresh mild tobacco on the persistence. Tannins are elegant, precise and very finely firm. Delicacy full of power.
Score : 17.75+/20 (96/100)
Château Talbot 2018
Saint-Julien, Cru Classé
The nose offers power, elegance, a beautiful intensity (full of finesse) as well as a beautiful finesse of the grain, deepness and a beautiful precision. It reveals notes of bright Boysen berry, wild strawberry and small notes of lily associated with touches of blueberry, sweet spices, vanilla as well as fine hints of Sichuan pepper, a very discreet hint of tea and iode. The palate is fruity, elegant, full of balance and offers a fine grain, freshness, a beautiful definition, a fine grain, suavity as well as density, energy (full of control), a fine acidulous frame, a beautiful precise/franc matter and a fine creaminess. On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright blackberry, pulpy cassis and small notes of wild strawberry associated with touches of small ripe wild berries, blueberry as well as hints of lily, camphor, cardamom, discreet hints of bourbon vanilla and a subtle hint of toasted. Good length. Tannins are precise, elegant and very finely tight. Fine hints of chocolate and caramelization on the persistence.
Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)
Château Branaire-Ducru 2018
Saint-Julien, Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity, elegant, racy and offers a beautiful concentration (full of finesse), a certain deepness as well as complexity and a racy/controlled power. This wine should be decanted. It reveals notes of pulpy cassis, strawberry, pulpy wild raspberry and small notes of violet associated with touches of fresh cardamom, racy gravels (sense of the place), discreet hints of liquorice, a subtle hint of fresh vanilla pod, Madagascar pepper, sweet spices and an imperceptible hint of mild tobacco. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers juiciness, a beautiful delicacy of the grain, gourmandize, an acidulous frame, freshness, fullness as well as a small suavity, a small fat, a fine unctuosity, power (full of delicacy/control), precision and a beautiful guideline (full of finesse). On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright cassis, pulpy/juicy blackberry and small notes of juicy/bright raspberry associated with touches of bright redcurrant, lily, cornflower, liquorice as well as hints of dark chocolate, caramelization, toasted and a subtle hint of toasted cardamom. Good length. Tannins are precise, elegant and finely soft. A beautiful gourmandize and suavity in the finish/persistence. Score : 17.5+/20 (95-96/100)
Château Grand-Puy Ducasse 2018
Pauillac, Cru Classé
The nose is elegant, aerial and offers a beautiful finesse of the grain, delicacy and a fine grain. It reveals notes of bright raspberry and small notes of blackberry associated with touches of ripe cherry, cornflowers, small blue fruits as well as fine hints of violet, Sichuan pepper and a very discreet hint of spices. The palate is fruity, fresh, mineral, well-balanced and offers an acidulous frame, a beautiful racy minerality, elegance, a beautiful finesse of the grain, a beautiful balance as well as an aerial side in the approach despite the power of the terroir and deepness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright cherry, juicy/fresh blackberry and small notes of pulpy cassis associated with touches of cherry blossom, blueberry as well as fine hints of caramelization, vanilla, toasted and a subtle hint of toasted almond. Tannins are well-built, elegant and offer suppleness. Good length. A very fine hint of crushed almond and chocolate on the persistence.
Score : 16.5+/20 (93-94/100)
Château Mouton Rothschild 2018
Pauillac, 1er Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant, beautifully fresh, harmonious and offers minerality, concentration as well as a certain intensity, a beautiful finesse of the grain, power (full of finesse), a very nice grain, a silky touch, a spicy side and a very fine warm side. This wine should be decanted. It reveals notes of bright cassis, juicy/ fresh strawberry, crushed redcurrant and small notes of violet associated with touches of graphite, juicy blueberry, zan as well as very discreet hints of fresh flowers, subtle hints of hazelnut and sweet spices. The palate is fruity, fresh, well-balanced and offers a beautiful minerality, freshness, tension, a beautiful deepness as well as density, a delicate grain, suavity, fat, a very beautiful acidulous/juiciness of the fruit, an almost aerial side in the approach despite power and richness of the fruit. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy raspberry associated with touches of fresh/juicy blueberry as well as hints of of small fresh red fruits, cornflower, zan, tobacco, cardamom, mocha as well as a subtle hint of tea, clove, toasted, coffee/cocoa (in the background). Hints of toasted hazelnut in the finish/persistence. Good length. Tannins are precise, elegant, fine, very finely firm. Beautiful persistence.
Score : 19.5+/20 (99-100/100)
Château Clerc Milon 2018
Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant, racy and offers a very beautiful finesse of the grain, power (full of control), concentration as well as delicacy and subtility. It reveals notes of bright blackberry, fleshy garriguette strawberry and small notes of bright cassis associated with touches of cardamom, gravels/terroir, violet, small ripe/ pulpy black fruits as well as fine hints of tobacco, spices and a fine hint of cuben pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, beautifully delicate, full of control/ delicacy and offers suavity, minerality, a justly dosed concentration, ampleness, freshness, a good structure as well as a delicate/unctuous touch and gourmandize. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/bright blackberry, crushed cassis and small notes of juicy/pulpy strawberry associated with touches of crushed raspberry, pulpy violet plum, chocolate as well as hints of cardamom, tobacco, subtle hints of bergamot, toasted hazelnut and discreet hints of toasted/caramelized oak. Tannins are precise, elegant. A very beautiful suave and gourmand persistence.
Score : 17.25/20 (94-95/100)
Château D’Armailhac 2018
Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity and offers a controlled power as well as a controlled intensity, a beautiful definition and elegance. It reveals notes of blackberry, violet, wild strawberry, associated with touches of strawberry flowers, small wild red fruits, lilac, hot/ioded gravels as well as hints of zan, nutmeg and a very discreet hint of grey pepper. The palate is fruity, elegant, well-balanced and offers an acidulous frame, a beautiful definition, gourmandize, a small tension, intensity, a a beautiful dynamism, fullness and a beautiful balance. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/ripe blackberry, fresh/ripe raspberry and small notes of small fresh/acidulous red berries associated with touches of violet, cornflower, zan as well as hints of saline minerality/iodine gravels, juicy plum, fine hints of camphor, cardamom. A subtle hint of cocoa bog and fresh tobacco in the persistence. Tannins are well-built. Good length.
Score : 16.75/20 (93-94/100)
Château Pontet-Canet 2018
Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity, aromatic and offers a beautiful purity of the fruit, pulpiness/ juiciness as well as a good maturity of the fruit. It reveals notes of fleshy/juicy/ bright redcurrant, crushed raspberry and small notes of fleshy/juicy plum associated with touches of violet, bright red fruits as well as fine hints of rose, lilac, discreet hints of liquorice and spices. The palate is fruity, ample, bewitching, well-balanced and offers juiciness, a good definition, an acidulous frame, a beautiful dimension, a multi-layer side, gourmandize, suavity, tension, a certain straightness (full of finesse), richness, a superb bright/pulpy fruit and a beautiful purity of the fruit. On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright redcurrant, crushed raspberry and small notes of juicy/pulpy wild strawberry associated with touches of bright cassis, hints of tonka bean, almond and a subtle hint of Badiane. Tannins are fine, racy and offers a certain chewiness. A very fine chew on the persistence. A beautiful evolution on the nose and in the glass.
Score : 18.25/20 (96-97/100)