Notes of black fruit, chocolate, licorice and cedar. Tannins have a medium fine grit. This wine is very pleasant and is starting to enter its drinking window.
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Not usually a fan of younger Bordeaux especially without a lot of decanting but I liked this one quite a bit. Tannins were present for sure but well integrated into the cigar box pencil lead vibe. The usual dark fruits, slightly cooked (but pleasantly so). Quite extracted (which I like) and dense but not at all cloying — again the tannins are keeping it back. Like a heavily brewed plum iced tea.
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Dark cassis fruits, velvet texture, well judged acidity. Not super digest due to the density of drying and dusty/powdery tannins. Quite nice but could be fresher and more elegant. Fruit noted but cooked/jammy? Quite extracted. Not bad but not great.
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Fresh nose of dark fruits, cigar box, scorched earth and floral notes. The palate is medium bodied, fresh tasting, with a good amount of fine but somewhat drying tannins. The high alcohol (14.5%) shows a bit on the back end, but they managed to mostly integrate it in the dense fruit flavors. The finish is fairly long.
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개인평가 :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ BLIC : B L I C - Outstanding Wine 외관 : 진한 루비 향 : 중간, 체리, 자두 당도: 드라이 산도: 중간 알코올 : 높은 타닌 : 높음 바디감: 무거움(강한 풍미) 여운 : 긴 먹은음식 : 없음 추천음식 : 양고기, 기름진 스테이크 재구매의사: O 특징 : 카베르네 소비뇽 블랜드(with 메를로)
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like strawberry, red currant and prune. It tastes like strawberry, red currant and prune. The body is medium. The wine has round texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
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Strong expression of Pessac-Léognan terroir, including scorched earth. Delightful varietal expression. Appealing violets and blackberry top notes.
The wine tastes like it smells. Excellent structure, alcohol comes through prominently, presenting a minor balance issue. Food helps mitigate the heat.
Based on this experience, recommend holding bottles for three or so years. Otherwise, if drinking in the near term, a 4+ hour decant seems in order. Excellent QPR!
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I coravined a bottle a month ago. Back to the cellar with about 4 oz drank. I poured a fat glass again last night and let it acclimate. This coravin disruption exercise was done deliberately to give me a sense of where this style of wine (totally out of character for LTM) is headed with time. Still full of dark red fruit, with great depth. Developing some earthy vibes under it, showing the aging potential of this wine. We get a good amount of cedar and some graphite now, with nice flower shop scents and a faint puff of coffee. All of this, with fruit that is now in transition, absent of that beautiful freshness of youth, and a bit in limbo. The acidity is very much here and should let things meld slowly over time and maintain health. Based on this, I say the next bottle is 3 years away. HOLD_
Medium+ bodied, modern styling, lower quality natural cork - likely will not live as long as the wine.
Drank over 2 days: Day 1 decanted half the bottle... coarse tannins, fresh oak, sappy fruit, some smoke, dry herbs, and tar. A bit impenetrable. It's fine - some quality shows.
Day 2: a little soft and tired, still unforgiving and monolithic until 4 hours into it some reduction appeared, and as it subsided: gorgeous. A denser 2015, with less bright crisp black/red fruit... this coats your palate with more of a berry reduction from a castiron pan. A warm compote, with cacao in its persistent finish. Excellent for the price.
Needs 24 hours open in bottle, or another 3-4 years to enter its drinking window with a brief decant.
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This wine was a surprise......very good for the price and very good for its young age. The bottle was open for about an hour and then decanted for one and a half hours. There is no reason to let this wine sit around. It exhibited all of the taste notes I would expect from its region.
Had at a walk-around tasting of 35 BdX from 2018 vintage, and liked it, so kept an eye out for a sale. The $38 sale price attracted me and based on CT notes gave it a 6 hour splash decant and consumed over next 2.5 hours.
Very impressed with this wine for the price, especially at 1/3 the price of the Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte it sat next to at the tasting.
After the decant it was not closed down but rather showed nice fruit, a decent mid-palate and some lingering fine tannins on the finish. 63 % CS, 30 merlot, 7 PV.
I'm just now getting into the nuances of Margaux, Pessac and other Graves reds and I look forward to more bottles from these areas.
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This vintage of LM is just great; so ready for business on opening then closing down a bit as it sits in the decanter for a few hours, but all the while just pure Left Bank Bordeaux all the way: cassis, dark berries, steel, gravel, pencil (graphite), green pepper, smoldering embers etc. I can only imagine that time will allow this to blossom into a real classic, and yet it is drinking surprisingly well now. (That lead pencil/graphite note combined with the dark fruit reminded me of the '18 Lynch Bages a lot, and indeed this wine flirts with Pauillac territory while also being so Pessac as well. But it is not a brooding blockbuster by any means.) I'll chalk up its current friendliness to the vintage; and I must admit to really loving most of the '18s that I have sampled. Such a warm and friendly vintage and simultaneously--at the right addresses--so unmistakably Bordeaux. Sure the alcohol is a smidgen on the higher end, but this wine will be a long keeper and will integrate over time. Great QPR for this level of wine. Rating: 93++
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This is a powerful wine. Way too young of course, but absolutely delicious in this juvenile phase, kicking around like mad, full of energy. I am almost 66 now and I can not expect to drink this wine at its zenith in 25 years or so. On the lookout for more bottles.
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Popped and poured. Gorgeous, viscous black-ruby; films the glass. Fairly faint raspberry fruit in the nose. In the mouth it is a different story, especially in the back of the mouth, where tons of crushed berry fruit linger for a long time. We'll see how this evolves over the next 24 hours, but it is clear this is serious, high-quality juice that easily outperforms its price point. For the moment: 5-11-16-9: 91/100.
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big brooding upon opening mellowed with time great dark fruit and lots of licorice and tar tannins smoother and really enjoyed with a grilled beef stake
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This is done being juicy and is in rebalance mode. If you open this now, it needs a 3 hour plus decant. Drink with Long Decant or HOLD. Man, this was great in the juicy stage.
Needed quite a lot of air, but once it came around it had a very nice fruit core, some smokey character, some oak influence, but all in all a powerful but balanced wine which I am sure will only get better.
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On the nose: cassis, tomato lead, gravel, oregano, raspberry leaves, moderate oak. A shitload of coarse tannin and medium plus acid. Some espresso, cocoa, and cassis. This is really expressive on the nose, and probably ready to go, but it needs either a decade or a multi-hour decant.
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Really high energy wine. A lot of lift, ripeness is kept in check by mineral and graphite notes. Nicely balanced and complex. Elegant and classy in a Margaux way.
3 hr decant and then consumed over 2.5 hrs. This wine was ready to go after decant then progressively shut down starting about an hour or so after that. Based on that alone I am led to believe that this wine has its dumb phase still ahead of it and will have a surprising longevity after that. The wine has an almost Pauillac sense to it - dark cherry, tons of graphite, vanilla, a light touch of pyrazines ( bell pepper), cinnamon. I guessed about 2/3 Cabernet, 1/3 merlot and a relatively high (5%) amount of petit Verdot and for once I was close to accurate. The high petit Verdot ( I think the actual amount is 8%) may contribute to this sense of structure and staying power. However Cabernet Sauvignon is the flavor driver here and makes this wine an excellent ( though surprising) gateway drug for California cab drinkers who “don’t get” Bordeaux - this is easily understandable to any CA cab lover and yet is very Bdx in characteristics. As much as I loved this now, this wine really begs to be put away for a long long time - at least another decade, but you could cellar this for 3-4 decades from here with zero fear of missing its peak. Tremendous potential here. My “score” is what it tastes to me right now but it could be higher - a lot higher - if given the time. It’s an astounding value from a chateau I have never had before. Another 2018 “ holy crap, this is *awesome* “ experience. And many 2019s are supposed to be even better??? I don’t see how that is possible. This house knocked it out of the park this year. Drinking window: 2035-2065. Score: 93+… seriously, this could be 97-98 in the year 2050. Relative to expectations: ++ for now but almost certainly +++ after 2035.
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Full bodied, modern styling. Opened 7 hours prior to dinner, tasted, and recorked. I'm familiar with La Tour Martillac from 2010 onward, with 2015 having incredible balance and finesse particularly for the price. Even with extended decanting the 2018 is so young, massive, and backwards it's bordering on inpenetrable. It's notably more ripe and oaked than previous vintages -- almost a Napa touch.
Give until 2025+, and it'll land in 93+ range but I'd be hard pressed to give any score today. Stock up.
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I drank this alongside the 2015 because frankly, there can be no better test for this wine, as these are the best vintages, since 2010. Drank over 6 to 7 hours, no decant. The color changes of this wine are fascinating. It went from being a lush, modern Bordeaux back to roasted coffee country with a heft of fruit and a fascinating character that is unique to this wine and exotic in form. The wood treatment here is just beautiful and it works so well for all the heft that they captured and bottled. My only complaint was that it was a tad bit hot, in comparison with the 2015 which showed far more elegance and the feminine and floral side of Bordeaux in contrast. That minuscule observation was an advantage when the charred steak showed up.What a delicious wine and a great compliment to a big ribeye! That is where you drink your 2018's, with hearty food, in place of California wines. drink or BIG HOLD
*BTW_This totally out powers the 2015, so its really just a different wine with a different appeal and place in your cellar, but they are equally excellent in their own directions. Both score easy 94's tonight.
2 hours decanting. Dark ruby clear color. Tobacco, anise, blackcurrant, blueberry. Some oak, but nicely integrated. Balanced and medium length. Really nice wine with a good QPR.
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Exceptional Left Bank Bordeaux...in almost every way.
A prototypical bouquet, of varieties in place, spring from the bottle and jump from the glass. Purely Pessac-Léognan, with scorched earth, tobacco, and black gravel. In a (compound) word: spine-tingling...even as I type this now.
Juicy, expansive, and gripping. Ultra plush, coco powder-like tannins dance across the tongue, as a world-class ballerina gracefully moves across her stage. The middle imparts an impression of perfect saturation, touching everything. The middle to back transition features striking precision, lift, and grit and culminates in a sophisticated finish of impressive length.
Balanced fruit and terroir, extraction, and oak. My only complaint? The listed 14.5 abv. At 13.5 or lower...score it 96+. The best 2018 Left Bank offering tasted to date. Likely to evolve for no less than 10 to 12 years, probably longer. This noted, no reason not to enjoy bottles in the present. Crazy QPR!
Drank over 2 nights (1 hour decant night 1). Tight (but enjoyable on night 1 and much more complete on night 2). Black in the glass. Black currants, cassis, gravel, blackberry on nose. Medium+ body, medium acidity, medium+ tannins. Fruit primary on palate consistent with nose. Nice palate density with a long finish. On night 2, blackberry, cassis on nose/palate with exquisite palate feel. 91+/- night 1. 93+/- night 2. Drink again in 2028+ Will buy some more.
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This is another great, great value wine form 2018. Arguably the best and definitely the most concentrated martillac I’ve tasted so far. There is some in your face green yuzu notes all throughout the wine which gives it a uniqueness, coming from crafty winemaking and brilliant use of wood. This was also very pauillacish in demeanor with all that graphite swimming in the full bodied wine, but the density disqualified that thought. This is a 30 year wine that will not survive the hands of most of the savvy collectors as it will be guzzled young. HOLD
This bottle was "opened" (Coravin'd more precisely) 10 days ago for our '18 BDX tasting, and this note is from the remaining 1/3 bottle. I really liked this at the tasting, and bought half a case, which is a decision I am quite happy about after retasting tonight. A very pretty nose with raspberry, mineral and spice notes. Very Graves, elegant and a bit earthy, with a core of pure red fruits; sappy and bright, with fairly restrained tannins for such a young wine. Has a sinewy quality, perhaps from some whole cluster, but overall this is a very pretty, Burgundian-styled BDX. Terrific value here.
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2018 BDX Blind (Chapel Hill, NC): Decanted 6h. #3 of 15 wines in our '18 BDX blind tasting. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 8% PV; 14.5% ABV. This was well-liked by just about everyone, and was a bit of an over-performer based on my initial expectation and sthe critics' reviews. My notes read: "showed a bit of an unusual herbal nose, slightly soapy, like coriander. Red cherry fruit, showy w/ some anise, mineral; chewy finish marked by exotic spices." Very nice and one of the surprises of our '18 BDX tasting. Revisiting on night two after another 24h of air, the mineral streak on the nose is more apparent, showing pretty red fruit, lavender and garrigue. Tannic finish, definitely needs time. Quite good.
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Vanilla, plums and smoky red fruits with a touch of flowers create the nose. Silky, medium-bodied, sweet, fresh, supple and juicy, with a little touch of cocoa in the finish, this is one of the best, if not the finest vintage of La Tour-Martillac I have ever tasted. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot.
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Boysenberry, licorice, smoke, black cherry and floral essences open the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, fresh, bright, sweet and lively, allowing the red fruits and silky tannins to come through easily. Give this at least seven years or so of aging and enjoy it over the following two decades. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. The harvest took place from September 17-October 10. 92-94 Pts
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5/11/2024 - sboyle Likes this wine: 91 Points
Notes of black fruit, chocolate, licorice and cedar. Tannins have a medium fine grit. This wine is very pleasant and is starting to enter its drinking window.
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4/4/2024 - sh6k Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not usually a fan of younger Bordeaux especially without a lot of decanting but I liked this one quite a bit. Tannins were present for sure but well integrated into the cigar box pencil lead vibe. The usual dark fruits, slightly cooked (but pleasantly so). Quite extracted (which I like) and dense but not at all cloying — again the tannins are keeping it back. Like a heavily brewed plum iced tea.
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2/14/2024 - Chupeaka wrote: 88 Points
Trumpet’s review is accurate;
Dark cassis fruits, velvet texture, well judged acidity. Not super digest due to the density of drying and dusty/powdery tannins. Quite nice but could be fresher and more elegant. Fruit noted but cooked/jammy? Quite extracted. Not bad but not great.
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1/24/2024 - trumpet60201 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fresh nose of dark fruits, cigar box, scorched earth and floral notes. The palate is medium bodied, fresh tasting, with a good amount of fine but somewhat drying tannins. The high alcohol (14.5%) shows a bit on the back end, but they managed to mostly integrate it in the dense fruit flavors. The finish is fairly long.
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10/18/2023 - quaintboy Likes this wine: 95 Points
개인평가 :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
BLIC : B L I C - Outstanding Wine
외관 : 진한 루비
향 : 중간, 체리, 자두
당도: 드라이
산도: 중간
알코올 : 높은
타닌 : 높음
바디감: 무거움(강한 풍미)
여운 : 긴
먹은음식 : 없음
추천음식 : 양고기, 기름진 스테이크
재구매의사: O
특징 : 카베르네 소비뇽 블랜드(with 메를로)
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like strawberry, red currant and prune. It tastes like strawberry, red currant and prune. The body is medium. The wine has round texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
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10/14/2023 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Did not give this the respect it deserved.
Strong expression of Pessac-Léognan terroir, including scorched earth. Delightful varietal expression. Appealing violets and blackberry top notes.
The wine tastes like it smells. Excellent structure, alcohol comes through prominently, presenting a minor balance issue. Food helps mitigate the heat.
Based on this experience, recommend holding bottles for three or so years. Otherwise, if drinking in the near term, a 4+ hour decant seems in order. Excellent QPR!
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6/23/2023 - hletertre Likes this wine: 85 Points
Delicieux
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6/23/2023 - hletertre wrote: 90 Points
Delicieux.
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5/26/2023 - Purple Tooth wrote:
I coravined a bottle a month ago. Back to the cellar with about 4 oz drank. I poured a fat glass again last night and let it acclimate. This coravin disruption exercise was done deliberately to give me a sense of where this style of wine (totally out of character for LTM) is headed with time. Still full of dark red fruit, with great depth. Developing some earthy vibes under it, showing the aging potential of this wine. We get a good amount of cedar and some graphite now, with nice flower shop scents and a faint puff of coffee. All of this, with fruit that is now in transition, absent of that beautiful freshness of youth, and a bit in limbo. The acidity is very much here and should let things meld slowly over time and maintain health. Based on this, I say the next bottle is 3 years away. HOLD_
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4/2/2023 - aero Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium+ bodied, modern styling, lower quality natural cork - likely will not live as long as the wine.
Drank over 2 days: Day 1 decanted half the bottle... coarse tannins, fresh oak, sappy fruit, some smoke, dry herbs, and tar. A bit impenetrable. It's fine - some quality shows.
Day 2: a little soft and tired, still unforgiving and monolithic until 4 hours into it some reduction appeared, and as it subsided: gorgeous. A denser 2015, with less bright crisp black/red fruit... this coats your palate with more of a berry reduction from a castiron pan. A warm compote, with cacao in its persistent finish. Excellent for the price.
Needs 24 hours open in bottle, or another 3-4 years to enter its drinking window with a brief decant.
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3/17/2023 - shaw wrote: 90 Points
Too soon
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1/31/2023 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine was a surprise......very good for the price and very good for its young age. The bottle was open for about an hour and then decanted for one and a half hours. There is no reason to let this wine sit around. It exhibited all of the taste notes I would expect from its region.
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1/16/2023 - peeks13 wrote: 92 Points
Had at a walk-around tasting of 35 BdX from 2018 vintage, and liked it, so kept an eye out for a sale. The $38 sale price attracted me and based on CT notes gave it a 6 hour splash decant and consumed over next 2.5 hours.
Very impressed with this wine for the price, especially at 1/3 the price of the Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte it sat next to at the tasting.
After the decant it was not closed down but rather showed nice fruit, a decent mid-palate and some lingering fine tannins on the finish. 63 % CS, 30 merlot, 7 PV.
I'm just now getting into the nuances of Margaux, Pessac and other Graves reds and I look forward to more bottles from these areas.
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12/6/2022 - Everything Ahead wrote: 93 Points
This vintage of LM is just great; so ready for business on opening then closing down a bit as it sits in the decanter for a few hours, but all the while just pure Left Bank Bordeaux all the way: cassis, dark berries, steel, gravel, pencil (graphite), green pepper, smoldering embers etc. I can only imagine that time will allow this to blossom into a real classic, and yet it is drinking surprisingly well now. (That lead pencil/graphite note combined with the dark fruit reminded me of the '18 Lynch Bages a lot, and indeed this wine flirts with Pauillac territory while also being so Pessac as well. But it is not a brooding blockbuster by any means.) I'll chalk up its current friendliness to the vintage; and I must admit to really loving most of the '18s that I have sampled. Such a warm and friendly vintage and simultaneously--at the right addresses--so unmistakably Bordeaux. Sure the alcohol is a smidgen on the higher end, but this wine will be a long keeper and will integrate over time. Great QPR for this level of wine. Rating: 93++
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12/5/2022 - pemazel Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a powerful wine. Way too young of course, but absolutely delicious in this juvenile phase, kicking around like mad, full of energy. I am almost 66 now and I can not expect to drink this wine at its zenith in 25 years or so. On the lookout for more bottles.
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11/3/2022 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Gorgeous, viscous black-ruby; films the glass. Fairly faint raspberry fruit in the nose. In the mouth it is a different story, especially in the back of the mouth, where tons of crushed berry fruit linger for a long time. We'll see how this evolves over the next 24 hours, but it is clear this is serious, high-quality juice that easily outperforms its price point. For the moment: 5-11-16-9: 91/100.
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10/29/2022 - Ticker tape guy Likes this wine: 91 Points
big brooding upon opening mellowed with time great dark fruit and lots of licorice and tar tannins smoother and really enjoyed with a grilled beef stake
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10/27/2022 - Purple Tooth wrote:
This is done being juicy and is in rebalance mode. If you open this now, it needs a 3 hour plus decant. Drink with Long Decant or HOLD. Man, this was great in the juicy stage.
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8/20/2022 - jrh82 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needed quite a lot of air, but once it came around it had a very nice fruit core, some smokey character, some oak influence, but all in all a powerful but balanced wine which I am sure will only get better.
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5/22/2022 - mkribar Likes this wine: 92 Points
On the nose: cassis, tomato lead, gravel, oregano, raspberry leaves, moderate oak. A shitload of coarse tannin and medium plus acid. Some espresso, cocoa, and cassis. This is really expressive on the nose, and probably ready to go, but it needs either a decade or a multi-hour decant.
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5/21/2022 - wineotim wrote: 93 Points
Really high energy wine. A lot of lift, ripeness is kept in check by mineral and graphite notes. Nicely balanced and complex. Elegant and classy in a Margaux way.
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5/6/2022 - JJYoyo Likes this wine: 93 Points
3 hr decant and then consumed over 2.5 hrs. This wine was ready to go after decant then progressively shut down starting about an hour or so after that. Based on that alone I am led to believe that this wine has its dumb phase still ahead of it and will have a surprising longevity after that.
The wine has an almost Pauillac sense to it - dark cherry, tons of graphite, vanilla, a light touch of pyrazines ( bell pepper), cinnamon. I guessed about 2/3 Cabernet, 1/3 merlot and a relatively high (5%) amount of petit Verdot and for once I was close to accurate. The high petit Verdot ( I think the actual amount is 8%) may contribute to this sense of structure and staying power. However Cabernet Sauvignon is the flavor driver here and makes this wine an excellent ( though surprising) gateway drug for California cab drinkers who “don’t get” Bordeaux - this is easily understandable to any CA cab lover and yet is very Bdx in characteristics.
As much as I loved this now, this wine really begs to be put away for a long long time - at least another decade, but you could cellar this for 3-4 decades from here with zero fear of missing its peak. Tremendous potential here. My “score” is what it tastes to me right now but it could be higher - a lot higher - if given the time. It’s an astounding value from a chateau I have never had before. Another 2018 “ holy crap, this is *awesome* “ experience. And many 2019s are supposed to be even better??? I don’t see how that is possible. This house knocked it out of the park this year.
Drinking window: 2035-2065.
Score: 93+… seriously, this could be 97-98 in the year 2050.
Relative to expectations: ++ for now but almost certainly +++ after 2035.
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4/6/2022 - aero Likes this wine:
Full bodied, modern styling. Opened 7 hours prior to dinner, tasted, and recorked. I'm familiar with La Tour Martillac from 2010 onward, with 2015 having incredible balance and finesse particularly for the price. Even with extended decanting the 2018 is so young, massive, and backwards it's bordering on inpenetrable. It's notably more ripe and oaked than previous vintages -- almost a Napa touch.
Give until 2025+, and it'll land in 93+ range but I'd be hard pressed to give any score today. Stock up.
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3/13/2022 - Purple Tooth wrote: 94 Points
I drank this alongside the 2015 because frankly, there can be no better test for this wine, as these are the best vintages, since 2010. Drank over 6 to 7 hours, no decant. The color changes of this wine are fascinating. It went from being a lush, modern Bordeaux back to roasted coffee country with a heft of fruit and a fascinating character that is unique to this wine and exotic in form. The wood treatment here is just beautiful and it works so well for all the heft that they captured and bottled. My only complaint was that it was a tad bit hot, in comparison with the 2015 which showed far more elegance and the feminine and floral side of Bordeaux in contrast. That minuscule observation was an advantage when the charred steak showed up.What a delicious wine and a great compliment to a big ribeye! That is where you drink your 2018's, with hearty food, in place of California wines. drink or BIG HOLD
*BTW_This totally out powers the 2015, so its really just a different wine with a different appeal and place in your cellar, but they are equally excellent in their own directions. Both score easy 94's tonight.
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3/12/2022 - preid wrote: 91 Points
2 hours decanting. Dark ruby clear color. Tobacco, anise, blackcurrant, blueberry. Some oak, but nicely integrated. Balanced and medium length. Really nice wine with a good QPR.
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3/12/2022 - KennHa Likes this wine: 94 Points
High concentration. Anis, leather, tannins. Need many years in the cellar.
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2/17/2022 - Motz wrote: 94 Points
Tasted over two days.
Exceptional Left Bank Bordeaux...in almost every way.
A prototypical bouquet, of varieties in place, spring from the bottle and jump from the glass. Purely Pessac-Léognan, with scorched earth, tobacco, and black gravel. In a (compound) word: spine-tingling...even as I type this now.
Juicy, expansive, and gripping. Ultra plush, coco powder-like tannins dance across the tongue, as a world-class ballerina gracefully moves across her stage. The middle imparts an impression of perfect saturation, touching everything. The middle to back transition features striking precision, lift, and grit and culminates in a sophisticated finish of impressive length.
Balanced fruit and terroir, extraction, and oak. My only complaint? The listed 14.5 abv. At 13.5 or lower...score it 96+. The best 2018 Left Bank offering tasted to date. Likely to evolve for no less than 10 to 12 years, probably longer. This noted, no reason not to enjoy bottles in the present. Crazy QPR!
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2/6/2022 - CWilliam wrote:
Drank over 2 nights (1 hour decant night 1). Tight (but enjoyable on night 1 and much more complete on night 2). Black in the glass. Black currants, cassis, gravel, blackberry on nose. Medium+ body, medium acidity, medium+ tannins. Fruit primary on palate consistent with nose. Nice palate density with a long finish. On night 2, blackberry, cassis on nose/palate with exquisite palate feel. 91+/- night 1. 93+/- night 2. Drink again in 2028+ Will buy some more.
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12/12/2021 - Purple Tooth wrote: 94 Points
This is another great, great value wine form 2018. Arguably the best and definitely the most concentrated martillac I’ve tasted so far. There is some in your face green yuzu notes all throughout the wine which gives it a uniqueness, coming from crafty winemaking and brilliant use of wood. This was also very pauillacish in demeanor with all that graphite swimming in the full bodied wine, but the density disqualified that thought. This is a 30 year wine that will not survive the hands of most of the savvy collectors as it will be guzzled young. HOLD
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9/15/2021 - GrapeScott wrote: 94 Points
This bottle was "opened" (Coravin'd more precisely) 10 days ago for our '18 BDX tasting, and this note is from the remaining 1/3 bottle. I really liked this at the tasting, and bought half a case, which is a decision I am quite happy about after retasting tonight. A very pretty nose with raspberry, mineral and spice notes. Very Graves, elegant and a bit earthy, with a core of pure red fruits; sappy and bright, with fairly restrained tannins for such a young wine. Has a sinewy quality, perhaps from some whole cluster, but overall this is a very pretty, Burgundian-styled BDX. Terrific value here.
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9/5/2021 - GrapeScott wrote: 93 Points
2018 BDX Blind (Chapel Hill, NC): Decanted 6h. #3 of 15 wines in our '18 BDX blind tasting. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 8% PV; 14.5% ABV. This was well-liked by just about everyone, and was a bit of an over-performer based on my initial expectation and sthe critics' reviews. My notes read: "showed a bit of an unusual herbal nose, slightly soapy, like coriander. Red cherry fruit, showy w/ some anise, mineral; chewy finish marked by exotic spices." Very nice and one of the surprises of our '18 BDX tasting. Revisiting on night two after another 24h of air, the mineral streak on the nose is more apparent, showing pretty red fruit, lavender and garrigue. Tannic finish, definitely needs time. Quite good.
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6/21/2021 - FransS wrote: 94 Points
The 2018 UGCB tasting Amsterdam 6/21/2021 (Amsterdam, Amstel Boathouse): A high level, balanced from start to finish, not super concentrated, but this wine compensates with elegance, refinement and balance.
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3/9/2021 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Vanilla, plums and smoky red fruits with a touch of flowers create the nose. Silky, medium-bodied, sweet, fresh, supple and juicy, with a little touch of cocoa in the finish, this is one of the best, if not the finest vintage of La Tour-Martillac I have ever tasted. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot.
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4/19/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Boysenberry, licorice, smoke, black cherry and floral essences open the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, fresh, bright, sweet and lively, allowing the red fruits and silky tannins to come through easily. Give this at least seven years or so of aging and enjoy it over the following two decades. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. The harvest took place from September 17-October 10. 92-94 Pts
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