Chateau Pape Clement 2018 Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux

Bold and a bit tight at this young age.  The Graves earthiness is present, so are flashes of fruit and oak.  This big guy is one for the cellar.  Time will tell whether this opens up to reveal its potential greatness.

“96+ Points.  The 2018 Pape Clement is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 60% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black cherries, stewed black plums and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of violets, star anise, cardamom and camphor with a waft of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers exhilarating energy, offering crunchy black berry and exotic spice layers with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and mineral tinged. Still very primary, it will need a good 5 years in bottle to deliver that next-level experience and will drink over the next 30+ years.

--Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com