Top Pessac-Léognan & Graves 2018 wines: Re-tasted in bottle

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...

First vintage under Chris Wilmers, succeeding his father Bob. A brilliant Haut-Bailly, living up to its En Primeur promise, packed with ripe rippling black and...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This is excellent, as it was en primeur. Dense, dark fruits and deep cocoa pod. These are ripe fruits but they are balanced and it...

Juicy, fine tannins, velvety with plenty of dark plump fruits, lots of chocolate, liquorice and chewy confident tannins. Tasted in May 2020 and delivers again...

<p>Beautiful depth, density and complexity, and a lovely spice, along with softer touches of floral aromatics. Successfully holds juice and tension through the palate. A...

This has confidence and plenty of understated but clear tannic presence. Handles its alcohol well, with lovely dark spice through the mid-palate that keeps things...

A touch of reduction on the palate right now. This has clear, bright berry fruits, clearly at full ripeness, with liquorice and black chocolate. The...

Clean, vibrant aromas of cigar box, fresh leather and sweet spice. Subtle blueberries and integrated tannin structure. Pleasing with impressive complexity, balanced acidity and deep...

Balanced cocoa, chocolate, and lavender with smooth tannins. Savoury and bright with cherry, cumin, and clove notes. Fine, with a slightly bitter finish.