CHÂTEAU VIEUX MAILLET

A blend of 73% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep purple-black colored 2018 Vieux Maillet rolls out of the glass with vibrant scents of crushed blueberries, warm black cherries and raspberry pie with a plum preserves undercurrent and wafts of red roses, tobacco and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, chewy texture and plenty of freshness backing up the muscular black fruits, finishing on a stewed tea note. Rating: 88-90 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2019)

Lots of bright and luscious fruit here with fantastic crushed-raspberry and blueberry character. Full body, smooth and refined tannins and a long and beautiful finish. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2019)

This is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It starts with a nose of pretty and perfumed hedgerow fruits, touched with a little red cherry skin and pomegranate. The palate is composed, fresh, showing a little more substance through the middle, with a peppery energy, but also a rather loose wrapping of dark fruits. There is a core of grippy tannin which shows through here. This barrel sample is pure, polished and plump, with delightfully piquant red fruits sitting within a richly textured midpalate, dusted with black pepper, and a fresh fruit profile. Long, grippy and bright, this is a very nice effort from this less well-known estate. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2019)

This has depth and a little kick of glamour with good quality on display showing rich black fruits, graphite and some bitter almonds on the finish. It’s a modern, slick Pomerol as this property often is but with a sense of restraint. Owned since 2004 by Hervé Laviale. The harvest took place between 24 September and 10 October. Oak and amphoras were used for ageing. A yield of 26hl/ha. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (Mar 2019)