2018 Clos Saint-Julien
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Clos Saint-Julien has an attractive bouquet of copious blackberry and blueberry fruit, hints of dark chocolate and mint bubbling up with aeration. There is something accessible about these aromatics. The smooth palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and lush, minty dark fruit, though it retains focus and delineation. My main criticism is that it does not quite kick on toward the finish and just leaves me wanting more complexity and personality.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Lots of blackcurrants, espresso, chocolate, tobacco, and classic Saint-Emilion minerality emerge from the 2018 Clos Saint-Julien, a rich, full-bodied, beauty with incredible character and depth. Flawlessly balanced, with brilliant tannins and a pure, seamless yet powerful style, it's a magical 2018 that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars. It's a true "wow" wine in the vintage.
The 2018 Clos Saint-Julien is much more understated from bottle than it was from barrel, and that's a good thing, especially in this vintage. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mint and spice-box all meld together effortlessly in the glass. Silky and poised, with exceptional balance Clos Saint-Julien is a winner in 2018. Exquisite.
A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot, aged in 100% new oak for 18 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Clos St Julien comes skipping out of the glass with cheery notions of kirsch, plum pudding, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake, plus an undercurrent of cedar chest, cinnamon stick and clove oil. The rich, densely packed, full-bodied palate (15% alcohol) coats the mouth with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by firm, ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and a little woody. Give it a good 5 years for the wood to fully marry and drink it over the next 15 years or more.