Château Barde-Haut 2018

Interesting aromatics, notes of fresh herbs; spicy attack, straightforward on the palate, tannins with freshness, good length, finishing on subtle bitter notes.

Alluring, with a very focused set of cassis, plum reduction and cherry preserve flavors coursing through atop a well-imbedded graphite spine, all while black tea, chalky minerality and subtle herb nuances play out through a long finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2035. 6,650 cases made.

This has an amazing richness on the nose, with fruit that's ripe but supple, displaying the silky tannins of the vintage. It's a truly luxurious wine, combining liquorice, freshly shaved cherry wood, a gourmet touch of dark chocolate and pencil lead, yet everything remains very well balanced. A great job from owner Helene Garcin Leveque. Harvested between 21 September and 11 October. pH 3.5.

Currants, rose hips, dried lavender, cocoa powder and cloves on the nose. It’s full-bodied with sleek, tight tannins. Refined and elegant with tight, polished layers. Solid center palate. Try from 2025.

The 2018 Barde-Haut is a powerful wine, but it is also rather closed. That won't be an issue in time; the 2018 needs quite a bit of air to show all of the rich, layered fruit readers have come to expect from this Saint-Émilion. Succulent dark cherry, chocolate, new leather, espresso and sweet spice build into the rich, layered finish.

Dark in color, this sensuous, rich, flamboyant wine shoots from the glass with polished red and black fruits, licorice, espresso, minerality and dark cocoa. Concentrated, opulent and forward, this is one of the best vintages of Barde Haut ever produced! The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, discreet brightening at the rim. Fresh sweet cherry, a hint of red berry confit, some leather and nougat, tobacco spice in the background. Powerful, juicy, again sweet cherry, taut supporting tannins, mineral, good freshness, has persistence and will develop further, definite ageing potential.

Showing brilliantly, the 2018 Château Barde-Haut comes from a beautiful, cooler terroir on the eastern side of Saint-Emilion. It has a wonderful sense of purity and elegance as well as ripe black cherry and blueberry fruits to go with medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of chocolate, spring flowers, violets, and a kiss of chalky minerality. It's beautifully balanced and has ultra-fine tannins as well as a gorgeous finish. It reminds me of the 2016, with maybe a touch more up-front charm. Give it 4-5 years if you can (it's drinking beautifully today as well) and it's going to evolve for 20-25 years or more.

Purple garnet with violet highlights. Intense blackberry bouquet and a touch of blackcurrant, backed by notes of chocolate, malt and dark rye bread. Generous palate with plenty of power, yet supported by refreshing lift. Focused finish with finely grippy extract and a full basket of blue berries. Great value from St.-Émilion – value for money.

Kunz barrel sample 19: velvety, fruity, full bouquet, blackberries, strawberries, roasted notes, tobacco, mocha. Dense, powerful palate with good tannins, a finely creamy, muscular structure, intense aromatics, sweet fruit, long, powerful finish.

Velvety texture, powerful, finely mineral, full bouquet, cherries, strawberry jelly, pralines, cedar, light tobacco, nougat. Balanced, silky, powerful palate with creamy fruit, plenty of fine tannins, varied, sweet aromatics, dense structure, long, creamy, fresh finish. 18/20 2025 - 2045

The 2018 Barde Haut is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling to unlock wild blueberries, redcurrants, and juicy plums with hints of star anise, dried flowers, and cracked pepper, plus a hint of cardamom. Full-bodied and rich, it is bursting with black and blue fruit with plush tannins and a lively lift on the finish.

A Poésia full of charm, with a velvety attack and a progression that expresses black fruits on an imposing finish.

What beautiful fruity intensity in this bouquet. A great deal of finesse and complexity, with nuances of raspberries, dark berries, licorice wood and spices. On the palate, the wine stands out for its finesse and pedigree; its slender profile is complemented by the breadth of its tannins and the liveliness of its acidic structure. Thus, Barde-Haut is balanced and built to age. Patience will be required.

Logo on the cork: DIAM30