Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

From an incredible terroir on the upper plateau, just above Pavie, the 2018 Château Pavie Decesse is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in mostly new French oak. Its dense purple color is followed by an incredibly classic limestone-driven bouquet of chalky minerality, white flowers, truffle, lead pencil, and cassis and blackberry-like fruits. This carries to an incredibly pure, full-bodied Saint-Emilion with nicely integrated acidity, flawless balance, building tannins, and a great finish. This remarkable, elegant yet powerful 2018 won't hit full maturity for another 10-12 years, but it's a magical Saint-Emilion that should live for 30-40 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (93-96)

Blueberries, crushed rocks, graphite, and violet notes all emerge from the 2018 Aromes De Pavie, which is a blend of 65% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, concentrated, and powerful, it’s blockbuster wine that's going to require bottle age. It’s also shockingly good!

Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)

From a cooler, pure limestone terroir just over the hill from Château Pavie, the 2018 Château Pavie Macquin offers an incredible assortment of red and black fruits, cedary spice, white truffle, graphite, and beautiful minerality. Showing the cooler, complex, concentrated style of the vineyard, it's full-bodied and powerful on the palate, with no shortage of extract or tannins. The wine always has a healthy pH and needs bottle age to show at its best. A solid 7-8 years are warranted here, and it will keep for 2-3 decades. The 2018 is 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, representing 90% of the total production. I think this estate has been underrated in the market and it can still be found for reasonable prices. It ages beautifully and I doubt you could have too much in the cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)

From a cooler, pure limestone terroir just over the hill from Château Pavie, the 2018 Château Pavie Macquin offers an incredible assortment of red and black fruits, cedary spice, white truffle, graphite, and beautiful minerality. Showing the cooler, complex, concentrated style of the vineyard, it's full-bodied and powerful on the palate, with no shortage of extract or tannins. The wine always has a healthy pH and needs bottle age to show at its best. A solid 7-8 years are warranted here, and it will keep for 2-3 decades. The 2018 is 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, representing 90% of the total production. I think this estate has been underrated in the market and it can still be found for reasonable prices. It ages beautifully and I doubt you could have too much in the cellar.

James Suckling (95-96)

Fantastic depth of ripe fruit with currant and dark-berry aromas. Hints of citrus and dry earth. Full body and round, velvety tannins that are melted into the wine. Very intense and fruity.

James Suckling (95-96)

Fantastic depth of ripe fruit with currant and dark-berry aromas. Hints of citrus and dry earth. Full body and round, velvety tannins that are melted into the wine. Very intense and fruity.

Wine Advocate (95-97+)

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James Suckling (94-95)

Very long and straight with a beautiful, fine line of ripe and compressed tannins. Medium-to full-bodied and tight and fresh on the finish. Beautiful cabernet sauvignon is driving this one.

Wine Enthusiast (94)

The second wine of Château Figeac, this reflects the top wine's chiseled structure and firm tannins, rich in black currant and damson fruits. The tannins and vanilla flavors give the wine sweetness, echoed by the generous fruits. Drink from 2025.

Wine Advocate (90-92)

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The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Petrus has a deep garnet purple color. It skips out of the glass with lifted scents of Morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of black olives, truffles, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very firm and taut with ripe, grainy tannins and muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. Typically for this vineyard, it will require patience!

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Petrus has a deep garnet purple color. It skips out of the glass with lifted scents of Morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of black olives, truffles, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very firm and taut with ripe, grainy tannins and muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. Typically for this vineyard, it will require patience!

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Petrus has a deep garnet purple color. It skips out of the glass with lifted scents of Morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of black olives, truffles, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very firm and taut with ripe, grainy tannins and muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. Typically for this vineyard, it will require patience!

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2018 Petrus has a deep garnet purple color. It skips out of the glass with lifted scents of Morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of black olives, truffles, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very firm and taut with ripe, grainy tannins and muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. Typically for this vineyard, it will require patience!

James Suckling (95-96)

This is the most powerful Phélan Segur I have ever tasted. A solid core of dense fruit and layered tannins that are so refined and polished. Remains fresh, energetic and bright. Yet, there’s plenty of harmony and balance.

Wine Enthusiast (100)

This great estate in southern Pauillac, facing the Latour vineyard, is at the top of its game. In this release, the tannins are as impressive and dense as the black fruits. Together they form a harmonious ensemble, richly structured, concentrated from the many old vines in the blend, and very ageworthy. Drink from 2027

Wine Enthusiast (100)

This great estate in southern Pauillac, facing the Latour vineyard, is at the top of its game. In this release, the tannins are as impressive and dense as the black fruits. Together they form a harmonious ensemble, richly structured, concentrated from the many old vines in the blend, and very ageworthy. Drink from 2027

Wine Enthusiast (100)

This great estate in southern Pauillac, facing the Latour vineyard, is at the top of its game. In this release, the tannins are as impressive and dense as the black fruits. Together they form a harmonious ensemble, richly structured, concentrated from the many old vines in the blend, and very ageworthy. Drink from 2027

The Wine Cellar Insider (99)

With a remarkable depth of color, the wine opens from the glass with touches of espresso, smoke, tobacco, flowers, spice and an array of red and black fruits. Full-bodied, richly textured, opulent, velvety and silken, the wine is off the charts with its decadent sex-appeal. This is a modern day version of the legendary 1982 that will easily age for 3-4 decades without fear. Give it at least 10 years in the cellar before pulling a cork. Bravo to the team of Nicolas Glumineau for producing this incredible wine!

The Wine Cellar Insider (99)

With a remarkable depth of color, the wine opens from the glass with touches of espresso, smoke, tobacco, flowers, spice and an array of red and black fruits. Full-bodied, richly textured, opulent, velvety and silken, the wine is off the charts with its decadent sex-appeal. This is a modern day version of the legendary 1982 that will easily age for 3-4 decades without fear. Give it at least 10 years in the cellar before pulling a cork. Bravo to the team of Nicolas Glumineau for producing this incredible wine!

Wine Advocate (91-93+)

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The exquisite Pied d'Argent Cuvee Prestige 2018 is an epitome of fine winemaking. Cultivated in the verdant vineyards of France's eminent wine region, this premium selection is meticulously produced by the master vintners at the renowned Pied d'Argent estate. The 2018 vintage attests to a year of extraordinary climatic conditions, creating a wine that presents unparalleled taste and character. This vintage is a splendid expression of the unique terroir, encapsulating the essence of the rich, loamy soils where the vines take root.

Founded on tradition, the Pied d'Argent Cuvee Prestige 2018 is blended predominantly from classic grape varieties, expertly aged under strict cellar conditions. The result is a robust, full-bodied wine with a splendid bouquet of aromas and a complexity of flavours on the palate. True connoisseurs will appreciate the seductive notes of ripe summer fruits, coupled with the subtly lingering finish, making the Pied d'Argent Cuvee Prestige 2018 a truly remarkable wine.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite refinement of Pomeaux 2018, a harmonious amalgamation of French sophistication and artisan skill. This majestic vintage hails from the heart of France's illustrious Loire Valley, embodying a profound richness associated with the region's celebrated viticulture. Produced meticulously by Thierry Puzelat, a globally recognised vintner, Pomeaux 2018 articulates a unique crafting process that marries traditional cultivation methods with modern winemaking techniques. Each grape is hand-picked, ensuring meticulous selection and authentic, intense flavours.

Imbibers will savour its opulent blend of red and black fruits, embellished with delicate notes of spice and cocoa. Its firm, yet smoothly integrated, tannins underpin an intriguing complexity, promising excellent ageing potential. Pomeaux 2018 is a lusciously well-rounded dessert wine, accentuating the producer's flair for coaxing layered aromatics and well-balanced sweetness. With its alluring depth of character and lush, lingering finish, Pomeaux 2018 stands as a testament to French winemaking prowess. An indulgent treat to enliven your fine wine collection.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2018 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged in 55% oak barriques and 45% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes from the glass with an atomic perfume of raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles, rose oil and Chinese five spice, giving way to suggestions of cinnamon stick, dusty soil, pencil lead and underbrush. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is a hedonist's dream, delivering layer-upon-layer of black and red berry preserves with loads of fragrant accents, a beautifully firm yet plush texture and tons of freshness, finishing long with a whole firework display of exotic spices. This is pretty much out-of-the-gate delicious, but it has the backbone to evolve over three decades or more.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2018 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged in 55% oak barriques and 45% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes from the glass with an atomic perfume of raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles, rose oil and Chinese five spice, giving way to suggestions of cinnamon stick, dusty soil, pencil lead and underbrush. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is a hedonist's dream, delivering layer-upon-layer of black and red berry preserves with loads of fragrant accents, a beautifully firm yet plush texture and tons of freshness, finishing long with a whole firework display of exotic spices. This is pretty much out-of-the-gate delicious, but it has the backbone to evolve over three decades or more.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2018 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged in 55% oak barriques and 45% amphorae. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes from the glass with an atomic perfume of raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles, rose oil and Chinese five spice, giving way to suggestions of cinnamon stick, dusty soil, pencil lead and underbrush. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is a hedonist's dream, delivering layer-upon-layer of black and red berry preserves with loads of fragrant accents, a beautifully firm yet plush texture and tons of freshness, finishing long with a whole firework display of exotic spices. This is pretty much out-of-the-gate delicious, but it has the backbone to evolve over three decades or more.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92+)

The 2018 Potensac is every bit as appealing as it was from barrel. Ripe and pliant, with terrific purity of fruit, the 2018 captures all of the natural radiance of the year. This fleshy Haut-Medoc delivers superb quality in a forward, open-knit style that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. The bouquet shows lovely savory and floral Cabernet notes that work so well with the pliant Merlot fruit. Time in the glass brings out a surprising amount of freshness, with bright acids that suggest 10-15 years of cellaring potential is a safe bet.

Wine Enthusiast (94-96)

After considerable investment, this property is showing its true potential. This wine is full of a great black fruit flavor, with generous acidity and a ripe structure. Its black currant flavor is already showing a delicious side, making it a wine to enjoy in the near term.

Decanter (94)

The shape of this wine is really beginning to come into focus. It has great balance with precision and elegance. Pristine blue fruits and floral touches linger through the palate. There's a higher Cabernet content than usual here, as the replantings have come on line. Picking began on 10 September, making it among the earliest estates in St-Emilion. This early-ripening terroir also helped to avoid too many issues with mildew, because flowering was complete before it arrived. Consequently, the estate enjoyed a 40hl/ha yield. One to watch. 50% new oak.