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NEAL MARTIN ON 2018 BORDEAUX
Neal Martin, the World's foremost Bordeaux critic, has published his eagerly awaited first scores for the 2018 vintage for Vinous.com. Unable to attend the original en primeur tastings following surgery, this is his first judgement on the vintage.
Martin's report confirms that 2018 is "very good to excellent in quality" with succulent ripe fruit and silky textures. Though it may lack the consistency of 2016 and 2005, there are "a handful of genuinely astonishing 2018s", Martin notes that many of the vintage's peaks are to be found on the Right Bank. Please find below a selection of the best buys and top-performing Chateaux, including:-
- the "really utterly delicious" Tour Saint Christophe (£265)
- Pavie Macquin and Canon - both "exceptional and rank alongside the best of the last decade"
- "A stunning, almost profound 2018 Eglise Clinet," and from the same winemaker, "in terms of value you cannot beat his crus from surrounding appellations such as La Chenade and Montlandrie"
"Saint-Émilion delivers in 2018. If you want to talk about genuine “best wines ever made” or “pinnacles of achievement,” then this is where to come.... one other trend was how well some of the châteaux performed beyond the elite names."
Martin's report confirms that 2018 is "very good to excellent in quality" with succulent ripe fruit and silky textures. Though it may lack the consistency of 2016 and 2005, there are "a handful of genuinely astonishing 2018s", Martin notes that many of the vintage's peaks are to be found on the Right Bank. Please find below a selection of the best buys and top-performing Chateaux, including:-
- the "really utterly delicious" Tour Saint Christophe (£265)
- Pavie Macquin and Canon - both "exceptional and rank alongside the best of the last decade"
- "A stunning, almost profound 2018 Eglise Clinet," and from the same winemaker, "in terms of value you cannot beat his crus from surrounding appellations such as La Chenade and Montlandrie"
"Saint-Émilion delivers in 2018. If you want to talk about genuine “best wines ever made” or “pinnacles of achievement,” then this is where to come.... one other trend was how well some of the châteaux performed beyond the elite names."
Right Bank - TOP VALUE
LA CHENADE 2018, Lalande de Pomerol
LA CHENADE 2018, Lalande de Pomerol
£145 per 12x75 In Bond
"The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. There is a nice bite to Denis Durantou’s Lalande-de-Pomerol, and an attractive saline finish. Excellent."
90-92 Neal Martin. (90-92 WA, 92-93 JS)
LES CRUZELLES 2018, Lalande de Pomerol
"The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. There is a nice bite to Denis Durantou’s Lalande-de-Pomerol, and an attractive saline finish. Excellent."
90-92 Neal Martin. (90-92 WA, 92-93 JS)
LES CRUZELLES 2018, Lalande de Pomerol
£210 per 12x75 In Bond
"wonderful weight and elegance and impressive delineation toward the persistent, spicy finish. Please tell me you bought this wine when it was released earlier this year!"
92-94 Neal Martin. (91-93 WA, 90-93 AG)
LAROQUE 2018, St Emilion
"wonderful weight and elegance and impressive delineation toward the persistent, spicy finish. Please tell me you bought this wine when it was released earlier this year!"
92-94 Neal Martin. (91-93 WA, 90-93 AG)
LAROQUE 2018, St Emilion
£215 per 12x75 In Bond
"a rich and creamy bouquet with upfront blueberry and cassis fruit, modern in style but managing to retain delineation and avoid excess... a seductively gorgeous wine."
91-93 Neal MArtin (95-97 WA, 95-97 JD)
TOUR SAINT CHRISTOPHE 2018, St Emilion
"a rich and creamy bouquet with upfront blueberry and cassis fruit, modern in style but managing to retain delineation and avoid excess... a seductively gorgeous wine."
91-93 Neal MArtin (95-97 WA, 95-97 JD)
TOUR SAINT CHRISTOPHE 2018, St Emilion
£265 per 12x75 In Bond
"The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good acidity and poise with really quite superb tension and energy on the finish... it’s succinctly judged and really utterly delicious."
92-94 Neal Martin (96-97 JS, 92-94+ WA)
"The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good acidity and poise with really quite superb tension and energy on the finish... it’s succinctly judged and really utterly delicious."
92-94 Neal Martin (96-97 JS, 92-94+ WA)
Contact us to enquire or register your interest. Limited quantity available. Offered En Primeur. Available In Bond, UK Spring 2021.