Chateau La Louviere 2018

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Ripe and spicy with blueberry fruits and rich tannins, this wine is just setting out on its long journey. One of the properties owned by the Lurton family in Pessac-Léognan, the wine balanced, with acidity and fruits allied to tannins. Drink from 2026."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Ripe cherry, stewed blackberry, nutmeg, cedar and black olive on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with sleek, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Flavorful. Try from 2022."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Tobacco leaf, cedar, spearmint, red fruits and herbs are all over the place. On the palate the wine is elegant, fresh, soft and silky, with layers of fruit and tobacco in every swirl, sniff and sip. The volume, depth and length here is something I have never seen here before. The wine was great in barrel and in bottle I'm loving it!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 la Louviere leaps from the glass with notions of redcurrant jelly, fresh blackberries and warm black plums, plus nuances of dried mint, cedar chest and ground cloves. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and savory in the mouth, featuring a light touch of finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a compelling red berry lift. It's an elegant, lively expression of this vintage and one that really works!"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Nicely packed, with a mix of red and black cherry paste, singed mesquite and red licorice notes, all carried by a lively, brambly savory-tinged finish. Lots to like here. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2031. 10,000 cases made."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Dezent balsamisch-schokoladig unterlegtes Bukett, feine dunkle Beerenfrucht, kandierte Orangenzesten. Mittlerer Körper, dunkle Beerenfrucht, präsente Tannine, mineralisch im Abgang, zart blättrige Würze im Nachhall."

DECANTER: "Lacks some lift through the mid palate, but there is an attractive focus to the brambled black fruits and cut herbs of sage and rosemary. 50% new oak. Winemaking director is Vincent Cruège. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038"

JEB DUNNUCK: "Always a charming, enjoyable Graves, the 2018 Château La Louvière gives up a supple, fruit-forward, and medium to full-bodied style offering lots of ripe red and black fruits, cedary herbs, smoked tobacco, and violet-like aromas and flavors. It drops off slightly on the finish, but the purity is top-notch, and it has ripe, silky tannins and a balanced, elegant style that's a joy to drink. It's going to evolve for 10-15 years in cold cellars."