Chateau Le Boscq Saint Estephe 2018

95 points Decanter 

Le Boscq lies minutes from the Gironde estuary, 18ha of vines on a deep gravel bank with clay subsoils. The château first obtained cru bourgeois status in 1932 when the classification began, then in 2020 was promoted to exceptionnel. The 2018 wine is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Individual plots were fermented in small stainless steel vats, then the wine spent 12 months ageing in oak barriques, of which 45% were new. 

Georgina Hindle: Smooth and full of energy, a touch of sweetness to the red, blue and black fruits and lashings of dark chocolate, liquorice and slate. Brilliant purity of expression and definition. 

Vincenzo Arnese: Blackcurrant, figs and charred wood, the palate riper with a sweeter feeling: crisp tannins, intense and very oaky, and notes of nutmeg and vanilla. 

Daphne Teremetz: Blackcurrant cordial fruit and some cedar and light nutty complexity on the nose. Full, bold body with super-fine, tight tannins – moderately smooth, soft acidity and a ripe blueberry finish.