2018 Chateau Barde-Haut

Other Reviews....
The 2018 Barde-Haut is a final blend composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it sashays sensuously out of the glass with effortless baked blackberries, preserved plums and blueberry pie notes plus hints of incense, powdered cinnamon, cigar box and star anise. Full-bodied and packed with spicy black and blue fruits, it is beautifully textured with firm, velvety tannins and just enough background freshness, finishing very long and seductive.
92-94 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate

Very juicy, with lots of blackberry and black currant compote flavors. The ample toast has yet to be fully soaked up, with notes of licorice root and singed apple wood jutting out. A bit chewy on the finish. Slightly unbridled today, but if this rounds into form it will be a real winner.
91-94 points
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Gorgeous purity of fruit in this wine with depth and beauty. Full-bodied. It really grows on the palate with a hyper fine tannin texture.
95-96 points
James Suckling

The 2018 Barde-Haut is a rich, heady wine. Crème de cassis, blackberry jam, chocolate, leather and spice race out of the glass in this flamboyant, exotically ripe Saint-Émilion. There is no shortage of stuffing, but the wine needs time to come together. Specifically, the new oak needs to integrate more fully, but this is a barrel sample, and it is not uncommon to see wines at this stage showing this way. The more exotic side of the vintage is very much on display. The harvest ranged from September 29 to October 12, which is relatively drawn out by the estate's standards.
92-95 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

Deeply colored, the 2018 Château Barde-Haut gives up a powerful, yet elegant profile that carries beautiful black cherry, chocolate, liquid violets, and hints of minerality. It's medium to full-bodied, has beautiful mid-palate depth, integrated acidity, and thrilling tannin quality, which isn’t a given in the vintage. Opening up with time in the glass, it shows more and more minerality and freshness, and is flawlessly balanced. In short, it’s beautiful Saint-Émilion readers will love to have in their cellar.
94-96+ points
Jeb Dunnuck