Chateau Clos du Clocher 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Sweet tobacco, cedar, wet earth and mushroom aromas with dark fruit, following through to a full body with rich, chewy tannins to the cool fruit. Powerful and tannic, yet polished and poised. Try after 2025."

DECANTER: "Well-defined, muscular tannins that form a wall to keep the black cherry fruits in place. Clear liquorice as it opens up. It's the texture that sets it apart, as well as its density and power, with even a touch of mint on the finish. Tasted twice and impressed both times. Indigenous yeasts used. Drinking Window 2026 - 2045"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. In der Nase ein Hauch von Kokos und Nougat, schwarze Herzkirschfrucht, feine Edelholzwürze. Sehr kraftvoll am Gaumen, reife, runde Tannine, Anklänge von Nougat, mineralisch, sehr gut anhaftend, angenehme Frische, muskulöses Finale."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Another wine that is showing much better in bottle than in barrel, here you find seductive layers of red and black pit fruits, truffle, flowers, cocoa and licorice with silky textures and a sensuous finish. The wine blends 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Clos du Clocher springs from the glass with vibrant scents of crushed black cherries, fresh blackberries and mulberries plus suggestions of Indian spices, menthol and graphite. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and energetic, packed with crunchy black fruits and framed by grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Another outstanding Pomerol in the vintage, the 2018 Clos Du Clocher is impressive. Revealing a deep purple color as well as notes of ripe plum, black cherries, scorched earth, graphite, and cedary herbs, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a straight, focused texture, good balance, and outstanding length. It says focused and inward on the palate, but I suspect 4-5 years in the cellar will help open it up as well as let some of the tannins resolve. It's unquestionably an outstanding wine and it should have two decades of overall longevity."

WEINWISSER: "Undurchsichtiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte. Reifes Brombeerbouquet, dahinter Holundergelee und dunkle Edelhölzer. Am Gaumen mit straffem Körper und verlangenden Tanninen, gut stützende Frische. Im gebündelten Finale dunkle Edelhölzer und parfümierter Pfeifentabak."