According to owner Sara Lecompte Cuvelier, who also runs Léoville-Poyferré, there`s more concentration here than in the St-Julien property since they had to wait for full ripeness of the skins but then lost the volume in the process, and found less juice than expected when the grapes came into the cellar. This has clear quality, with a slightly austere acidity that you feel pulsing all the way through the palate from beginning to end, giving lift and freshness. Its ageing ability is apparent in its intensity and concentration. There`s lots of pleasure to be found here, but not quite at the level of the 2016. 35hl/ha yield. IPT 80. 3.71pH. 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 91 points

44% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, pH 3.71, 34 hl/ha. Deepest cherry red. Pretty, scented dark fruit with a touch of vanilla sweetness. Chewy, rich and smooth all at once. Packed with fruit and well-structured without any dryness on the finish. So smooth. Opens up to violets and lovely sweet and fresh fruit. Velvety and generous. Really aromatic with time in the glass. Tangy finish, the structure building at the end. 16.5 points

This is 44% Merlot, picked September 24th to the 28th, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked October 1st to the 7th, 10% Cabernet Franc, picked October 1st, and 6% Petit Verdot, picked October 2nd. There is usually more Cabernet in the blend, but in 2018 the percentage of Cabernet is lower as the berries were so small and concentrated; so while there were lots of berries, there was not so much juice. The yield was just 34 hl/ha. The wine has a pH of 3.71 and an alcohol of 14.3%. It has a very dark, plump, rather smoky nose, with touches of red cherry. The palate is convincing, with a serious weight and breadth of fruit, showing charming texture but with a firm substance, provided by a bright frame of acid and tannin. Deliciously dusty, pure, fresh and bright, a polished and comple te wine, with lovely chalky edges but plenty of texture and grip too. It culminates in a long and grippy finish. This is a fine result for this estate. 92-94 points

The 2018 Le Crock is soft, supple and easygoing, all of which make it a good choice for drinking now and over the near and medium term. Even though the heat of the vintage is evident in the wine`s radiant fruit and textural richness, the 2018 nevertheless retains lovely floral infused top notes that add brightness. Dry, warm east winds at the end of the summer caused dehydration and dropped yields down to 35 hectoliters per hectare from the more normal 45. 88-91 points