Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-92)

The 2018 La Sirène de Giscours is a lovely second wine laced with radiant red berry fruit, cedar, smoke, licorice and dried flowers. Medium in body and nicely textured, the 2018 has so much to offer. It is an especially racy, inviting second wine from Giscours. The high percentage of Cabernet Franc (21%) adds striking perfume and aromatic depth. The blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and 13% Merlot.

Decanter (93)

Once again Magrez has made a very enjoyable wine at this estate. There's a ton of fruit on offer and it has been extracted liberally but with care. The construction and the architecture feel more like 2010 and 2016 than many of its peers in 2018. It's a good wine that's clearly going to age exceptionally well. It has notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and black pepper. It has layers of complexity and enough acidity to rein in the exuberance. Note, as ever, that the bottle is the heaviest of the line up - a shame when he is doing so much work to reduce environmental impact. 40hl/ha yield. Ageing is in 33% new oak.

Decanter (93)

Once again Magrez has made a very enjoyable wine at this estate. There's a ton of fruit on offer and it has been extracted liberally but with care. The construction and the architecture feel more like 2010 and 2016 than many of its peers in 2018. It's a good wine that's clearly going to age exceptionally well. It has notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and black pepper. It has layers of complexity and enough acidity to rein in the exuberance. Note, as ever, that the bottle is the heaviest of the line up - a shame when he is doing so much work to reduce environmental impact. 40hl/ha yield. Ageing is in 33% new oak.

Wine Advocate (90-92)

The la Tour Carnet 2018 Blanc leaps from the glass with bold lime cordial, lemongrass and green guava notes plus hints of honeysuckle and lanolin. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely freshness and a satiny texture, finishing spicy.

Considered a gem among Bordeaux, the Tour Bessan 2018 is a grand manifestation of finesse and depth. This exalted Margaux wine embodies tradition, its origins stretching back to the 12th century. Produced in the vineyards of the Château Tour Bessan estate, located in the western part of the Margaux appellation, the terroir is characterised by the marvel of gravelly soil, which imparts unique flavour profiles and bold complexity to this vintage.

Bearing the seal of excellence from one of Margaux's oldest vineyards, the Tour Bessan 2018 is a blend expertly crafted from the region’s traditional born varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Cultivated with meticulous care, the grapes are vinified through a judicious combination of traditional and modern techniques, resulting in a wine of remarkable balance.

The Tour Bessan 2018 enchants with its generosity, balance, and longevity. It is a testament of the excellence that the Margaux appellation can deliver.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98)

Made by the team at Le Gay, the tiny production, garagiste-styled 2018 Château La Violette is another magical wine, offering a saturated purple color, heavenly notes of black and blue fruits, smoky oak, chocolate, and earth, full-bodied richness, and layers of polished tannins. Despite being a big, powerful wine, nothing is out of place, it has thrilling purity, and is a gorgeous wine any way you look at it. Buy it if you can.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98)

Made by the team at Le Gay, the tiny production, garagiste-styled 2018 Château La Violette is another magical wine, offering a saturated purple color, heavenly notes of black and blue fruits, smoky oak, chocolate, and earth, full-bodied richness, and layers of polished tannins. Despite being a big, powerful wine, nothing is out of place, it has thrilling purity, and is a gorgeous wine any way you look at it. Buy it if you can.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98)

Made by the team at Le Gay, the tiny production, garagiste-styled 2018 Château La Violette is another magical wine, offering a saturated purple color, heavenly notes of black and blue fruits, smoky oak, chocolate, and earth, full-bodied richness, and layers of polished tannins. Despite being a big, powerful wine, nothing is out of place, it has thrilling purity, and is a gorgeous wine any way you look at it. Buy it if you can.

Jeb Dunnuck (96-98)

Made by the team at Le Gay, the tiny production, garagiste-styled 2018 Château La Violette is another magical wine, offering a saturated purple color, heavenly notes of black and blue fruits, smoky oak, chocolate, and earth, full-bodied richness, and layers of polished tannins. Despite being a big, powerful wine, nothing is out of place, it has thrilling purity, and is a gorgeous wine any way you look at it. Buy it if you can.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Another winner from Margaux is the 2018 Château Labégorce, which is an interesting blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (although I was given slightly different blends for the two samples tasted). Aging in 40% new oak, this deeply colored effort offers a beautiful perfume of blueberries, raspberries, flowers, and spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and fine tannins, and should be approachable right out of the gate. It’s worth mentioning this estate has been managed by Marjolaine de Coninck since 2009, and it’s a rocking value in the market today. Tasted twice.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Another winner from Margaux is the 2018 Château Labégorce, which is an interesting blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (although I was given slightly different blends for the two samples tasted). Aging in 40% new oak, this deeply colored effort offers a beautiful perfume of blueberries, raspberries, flowers, and spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and fine tannins, and should be approachable right out of the gate. It’s worth mentioning this estate has been managed by Marjolaine de Coninck since 2009, and it’s a rocking value in the market today. Tasted twice.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Another winner from Margaux is the 2018 Château Labégorce, which is an interesting blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (although I was given slightly different blends for the two samples tasted). Aging in 40% new oak, this deeply colored effort offers a beautiful perfume of blueberries, raspberries, flowers, and spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and fine tannins, and should be approachable right out of the gate. It’s worth mentioning this estate has been managed by Marjolaine de Coninck since 2009, and it’s a rocking value in the market today. Tasted twice.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Another winner from Margaux is the 2018 Château Labégorce, which is an interesting blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (although I was given slightly different blends for the two samples tasted). Aging in 40% new oak, this deeply colored effort offers a beautiful perfume of blueberries, raspberries, flowers, and spice. It’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity, and fine tannins, and should be approachable right out of the gate. It’s worth mentioning this estate has been managed by Marjolaine de Coninck since 2009, and it’s a rocking value in the market today. Tasted twice.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (89-92)

The 2018 Lacoste-Borie is plump, silky and absolutely delicious. Bright red cherry, plum and mocha add lovely shades of nuance throughout. I would prefer to drink this succulent, mid-weight Pauillac over the next handful of years, while it retains its youthful juiciness. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2018 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is one of the classiest wines of the vintage. Effusive floral overtones give the 2018 its lifted, gracious personality. Lemon confit, yellow flowers, mint, pineapple and passionfruit are all laced together in a mid-weight, beautifully persistent Sauternes that hits all the right notes. The 2018 is just sublime. That's all there is to it.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2018 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is one of the classiest wines of the vintage. Effusive floral overtones give the 2018 its lifted, gracious personality. Lemon confit, yellow flowers, mint, pineapple and passionfruit are all laced together in a mid-weight, beautifully persistent Sauternes that hits all the right notes. The 2018 is just sublime. That's all there is to it.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The Grand Vin 2018 Château Lafleur from this magical terroir checks in as 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Merlot that comes only from the more gravelly soils of the vineyard and spent 15 months in 25% new French oak. It's as good as any wine can get and has a layered, multi-dimensional style that marries power with elegance as only this estate can do. Offering notes of black raspberries, tobacco, truffly earth, spring flowers, and chocolate, it's full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, but nevertheless is as weightless as they come, offering this "je ne sais quoi" character that's hard to describe. It's more backward and reserved than the Pensées and is going to take a decade of bottle age to hit maturity, but it's a desert Island wine if there ever was one.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The Grand Vin 2018 Château Lafleur from this magical terroir checks in as 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Merlot that comes only from the more gravelly soils of the vineyard and spent 15 months in 25% new French oak. It's as good as any wine can get and has a layered, multi-dimensional style that marries power with elegance as only this estate can do. Offering notes of black raspberries, tobacco, truffly earth, spring flowers, and chocolate, it's full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, but nevertheless is as weightless as they come, offering this "je ne sais quoi" character that's hard to describe. It's more backward and reserved than the Pensées and is going to take a decade of bottle age to hit maturity, but it's a desert Island wine if there ever was one.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The Grand Vin 2018 Château Lafleur from this magical terroir checks in as 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Merlot that comes only from the more gravelly soils of the vineyard and spent 15 months in 25% new French oak. It's as good as any wine can get and has a layered, multi-dimensional style that marries power with elegance as only this estate can do. Offering notes of black raspberries, tobacco, truffly earth, spring flowers, and chocolate, it's full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, but nevertheless is as weightless as they come, offering this "je ne sais quoi" character that's hard to describe. It's more backward and reserved than the Pensées and is going to take a decade of bottle age to hit maturity, but it's a desert Island wine if there ever was one.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2018 Lafon-Rochet is such a classy wine. Power and finesse meld together in this Saint-Estèphe that is gorgeous, right from the very first taste. Black cherry, herbs, leather, licorice and dried flowers all build in the glass. In 2018, Lafon-Rochet is richer and bolder than it usually is, and yet all the elements are so nicely balanced. I would give it a few years in the cellar to allow some of the baby fat to melt away.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

The 2018 Lafon-Rochet is such a classy wine. Power and finesse meld together in this Saint-Estèphe that is gorgeous, right from the very first taste. Black cherry, herbs, leather, licorice and dried flowers all build in the glass. In 2018, Lafon-Rochet is richer and bolder than it usually is, and yet all the elements are so nicely balanced. I would give it a few years in the cellar to allow some of the baby fat to melt away.