In the first week of every April, the wine professionals from all over the world travel to Bordeaux to taste the newly assembled barrel samples from the previous harvest. This year is no exception, and 2018 is my 10th consecutive En Primeur (EP) tasting since the vintage of 2009. I must say that Vintage 2018 is the most pleasant EP that I have ever tasted. In most cases, the wines are extremely delicious and can be drunk now.
In a nutshell, the weather of 2018 in Bordeaux was wet and then hot, which resulted very ripe and yet extremely fresh wines despite high alcohol level (around 14.5%-14.7%). Unlike the 2003 vintage, 2018 has no trace of heat nor alcohol and presents no “jamminess”. Looking back at my tasting notes, the words such as “rich texture”, “silky tannin”, “mouth coating fruits”, "well balanced and integrated”, and “elegant finish” keep popping out. For the first time ever, I drank quite a bit of samples without spitting out. They were simply too delicious to let go. Now, you get the picture. In my humble opinion, the 2018 could turn out to be one of the most hedonistic wines from Bordeaux in recent history. If the release price is right, I think 2018 could be a great vintage to drink early and keep for a few decades … delicious from the start to the end.
Yesterday, we saw the first major release of 2018 EP from Chateau Angelus at the price of 2015, lower than 2016 and even 2017. The 2018 Angelus has a very tight nose, rich texture, spiciness, and well integrated tannin. To me, Angelus' second wine, Le Carrillon de Angelus, tasted even more delicious at this stage than the Grand Vin. We are pleased to offer:
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