2018 Poujeaux (Moulis)

This is a blend of 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The yield was 35 hl/ha, the alcohol 14%. It has an attractive and rather confident nose, of smoked black cherry, damson and blackcurrant, wrapped in subtle praline oak. The palate feels restrained, revealing a rather silky medium-bodied substance through middle, with delicately integrated and ripe tannins, which give real grip throughout, along with a fresh sense of acidity. This has a sense of class to it, polish too, a very complete and harmonious style, and it should evolve very nicely. The élevage will be in one-third each new, second-fill and third-fill barrels. 92-94 points

52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc; 33% new oak. Black core. Invitingly dark and spicy on the nose, just a touch charry. Really chewy and dense on the palate, compact but surprisingly smooth tannins, though they dominate. Needs a little more freshness overall to lift the finish. 15.5 points

Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose of the 2018 Poujeaux is a little reticent to begin, offering glimpses at smoked meats and tar over a core of warm red and black currants plus a waft of Marmite toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers plenty of earth-laced black fruit and a firm, chewy texture, finishing with an herbal lift. 86-88 points

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2018 Poujeaux is rich, luscious and bold, with a level of fruit density I don`t recall seeing in the past. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice are all pushed forward in this racy, succulent Moulis. This is an especially fine Poujeaux. Don`t miss it. 90-93 points

This is a blend of 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The yield was 35 hl/ha, the alcohol 14%. It has an attractive and rather confident nose, of smoked black cherry, damson and blackcurrant, wrapped in subtle praline oak. The palate feels restrained, revealing a rather silky medium-bodied substance through middle, with delicately integrated and ripe tannins, which give real grip throughout, along with a fresh sense of acidity. This has a sense of class to it, polish too, a very complete and harmonious style, and it should evolve very nicely. The élevage will be in one-third each new, second-fill and third-fill barrels. 92-94 points