Top Bordeaux 2018 wines in the bottle: Left Bank report

This has so much tannic power, with density, layers and structure along with layers of blackberry, liquorice, baked earth, cigar box and the signature exotic...

Beautifully rich even on the nose, this makes you smile from the first moment. On the palate things are intense and concentrated, as you might...

This has such a textured, ripe, plump and poised black fruit character that is clear from the aromatics alone. Mouthfilling with huge texture and density,...

This is extremely powerful, with high tannin levels that are beautifully velvety and a real presence that is going to need a good 15 years...

Another stellar vintage for this always elegant first growth. Despite a stormy spring and May hailstorm, September harvest conditions were ideal. What stands out for...

Lovely grilled and graphite notes right off the bat; this is big and muscular, and extremely Pauillac. There is grace here too, with raspberry purée,...

Rich and deep with beautifully nuanced dark chocolate, mocha, cocoa bean and liquorice. Just full of understated power and silky tannins. This is gorgeous and...

<p>Perfumed on the nose with menthol, blackcurrant, liquorice, and creamy prunes, it is juicy and mellow on the palate, with chocolatey tannins. The relatively high...

Well-structured and shot through with a savoury black fruit and charcoal character alongside fine tannins that slowly but surely build through the palate. Needs time...

Generous aromatics of dark berry fruit, caramel, and spice are clear indicators of a warm vintage, but there are also floral notes and no heaviness...

A little closed on the nose, and also on the attack. There is a wall of tannin here but backed up by voluptuously ripe fruits...

I very much enjoyed this en primeur and I am happy to see it living up to billing. There is real nuance here, with a...

The masterclass crowd were expecting a Petit Smith Haut Lafitte rouge 2018 to showcase the brilliance of the estate's second wine but instead got the...

Closed on the nose with a deep, inky core, this 2018 remains very primary and youthful. Quite shy and needing coaxing in the glass, the...

This is an extremely successful Clerc Milon in a run of great vintages at the property. Lovely purity, clear big tannins, and real poise and...

Well-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...

Gorgeously rich, heady and seductive nose, really expressive - you can sense the concentration in the rich blackcurrant aromas, soft hints of bramble bush, perfume...

Deep, rich black fruits on the nose followed by a powerful punch of spice alongside a ferocious tannic structure that will benefit from the extra...

Elegant aromas of berries and violet, complemented by a hint of toasty oak. Revealing notes of bonito flakes, walnut, black cherry and cedar spice. Boasting...

In the glass you get a richly nuanced and aromatic glass of Pontet. Plum, gooseberry, cassis, rosemary, violet, tobacco leaf, sage and white pepper. Clear...

Sweet black cherry fruits, bilberry and hedgerow. A little austere at this stage but confidently so, with a slice of bitter black chocolate. Big Pauillac...

One of the real successes of the Lafite stable in 2018. You get the rich, smooth texture straight off the nose, continued by a velvety...

Well-balanced, fleshed out by redcurrant, raspberry and black cherry fruits. There is tannic build-up, gently layering but adding up to quite the wall at this...

Deep and generous blackberry fruits and rich chocolate, there is good balance here with depth and interest and a ton of flavour. Really good stuff,...

Candied red fruit and sour cherry aromas. Elegantly layered with kirsch and vanilla notes. A lovely texture of fine tannin, well-balanced with refreshing acidity. Promising...