A recent review of our suppliers Bordeaux stocks revealed a number of newly arrived 2018 Cru Classe offerings. With many interesting properties to choose from we have narrowed down the list to seven wines, one each from seven of the most recognizable communes in Bordeaux.
The 2018 growing season was very warm and dry producing many red wines with 14.5% alcohol or above. The dry conditions in late September and early October allowed growers to choose a variety of pick dates depending on their ripeness preference and there is little excuse for under ripe or aggressively tannic wines. The ripe style of the vintage suggests the wines should be approachable in their youth with the best wines evolving positively for 10 years or more.
The wines below represent our 2018 Bordeaux selections based on quality, renown and value. Quantities are limited and due to arrive early next week, please let us know of your interest.
2018 Château Phelan Segur | St. Estephe
On Sale for $59 per bottle
93+pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“The 2018 Phélan Ségur is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot, weighing in at 14% alcohol, 3.8 pH and has an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 77. Deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackberries, blackcurrant jelly and kirsch, plus suggestions of menthol, Ceylon tea, forest floor and lavender. The medium-bodied palate delivers elegance and impressive vivacity with finely grained tannins and a refreshing line supporting the intense red and black berry layers, finishing long and perfumed.” Drinking Window: 2023-2040
2018 Lynch-Bages | Pauillac
On Sale for $165 per bottle
96pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“Composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Lynch-Bages was aged in 75% new barriques. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with a magnificently expressive nose of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles, plus suggestions of dark chocolate, licorice, tar and violets with a waft of hoisin. The medium to full-bodied palate is just as impactful as the nose, coating the mouth with juicy black berry and spicy layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a refreshing earthiness coming through at the end.” Drinking Window: 2026-2055
2018 Château Leoville-Barton | Saint Julien
On Sale for $139 per bottle
94pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Léoville Barton needs a little swirling to coax out delicate notions of fresh blackberries, mulberries and cassis, plus touches of pencil shavings, clove oil, charcoal and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a great intensity of earth and mineral-laced black fruit flavors, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. Give it a good 4-5 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20 years+.” Drinking Window: 2025-2045
2018 Château Rauzan-Segla | Margaux
On Sale for $189 per bottle
98+pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“The 2018 Rauzan-Ségla is composed of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine has 14% alcohol, and it was aged for around 18 months in barriques, 65% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes galloping out of the glass with powerful, energetic scents of crushed black cherries, blackcurrant cordial and mulberries, plus suggestions of violets, star anise, chocolate mint and crushed rocks with a touch of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with fantastic length and loads of earthy sparks. This is a thoroughbred Margaux, for sure, possessing amazing power in a very sleek, sophisticated package. Give it 5-7 years in bottle to unlock all those earth, floral and mineral nuances and drink it over the next 40 years or more. An incredible achievement that adeptly sidesteps the potentially overwhelming stamps of this extreme vintage.” Drinking Window: 2026-2066
2018 Domaine de Chevalier (Rouge) | Pessac-Leognan
On Sale for $99 per bottle
95+pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 35% new, the 2018 Domaine de Chevalier has a deep garnet-purple color, pouncing out of the glass with energetic scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh, juicy blackberries and ripe plums, with suggestions of crushed rocks, bay leaves, unsmoked cigars and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with muscular black fruits, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and mineral laced. Give it another 4 years in bottle to flesh out and drink it over the next 25+ years.” Drinking Window: 2025-2050
2018 Château Nenin | Pomerol
On Sale for $89 per bottle
94pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“The 2018 Nenin is a blend of 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc, weighing in at 14.6% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, the nose explodes with bombastic notions of baked black plums, stewed cherries and boysenberries with suggestions of licorice, eucalyptus, clove oil and hoisin. The medium to full-bodied palate has a lovely line of freshness lifting the ripe, rich, dark fruit layers, framed by plush tannins, finishing with lingering exotic spice notes.” Drinking Window: 2025-2050
2018 Château Canon | Saint Emilion
On Sale for $179 per bottle
94 pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown)
“A blend of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Canon has a pH of 3.69 and 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it tumbles effortlessly out of the glass with a gorgeous perfume of candied violets, preserved plums, black cherry compote and Ceylon tea with hints of kirsch, powdered cinnamon, chocolate box and fertile loam. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with juicy black fruit layers, supported by plush, oh-so-soft tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and fragrant.”