All scores for St-Emillion 1er GCC
St-Emilion 1er Grands Crus Classés (A)
Ch Cheval Blanc (1GCC) 20
Sublime wine. Fresh, floral, perfumed. More elegant and sensual than the ’09. Pure, sumptuous fruit. Refined texture and tannins. Lovely acidity for balance. Seamless. 2020-2050
Ch Ausone (1GCC) 19.5
As pure as the ’09 but a more emphatic structure. 55% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Fragrant fruit and floral nose. Dense, ripe fruit and an abundance of firm but finely knit tannins. Minerally freshness provides a classical edge. Great length and persistence. Huge ageing potential. 2022-2060
St-Emilion 1er Grands Crus Classés (B)
Ch Angélus (1GCC) 18.5
In the same league as the amazing ’09 but an even bigger structure here. Telltale saturated colour. Busy, complex nose with spice, cacao and violet (45% Cabernet Franc) notes. Ripe, succulent fruit on the palate but not overblown. Lingering freshness behind. Powerful but refined tannins. Long, persistent finish. 2020-2035
Ch Canon (1GCC) 18.5
I loved the ’09 and this is as good if not better. Poised and elegant with great purity of fruit. Dense but long and linear. Beautiful texture and tannins. 2018-2040
Ch Figeac (1GCC) 18.5
This is a Figeac with plenty of substance but still elegant and fresh in style. Dense, lively, expressive fruit. Firm but fine tannins. Great length. 2020-2040
Ch Troplong Mondot (1GCC) 18.5
A modern beauty. Still has deep colour, power and density but there seems to be more refinement these days. Rich, complex nose with cassis, cacao, spice and menthol notes. Sumptuous texture, balancing acidity and long, firm finish. 2020-2035
Clos Fourtet (1GCC) 18
Outstanding effort. One of the best from this estate. Could be a great buy. Dense, round, perfumed fruit. Lovely texture and weight. Balancing freshness and long, persistent finish. 2018-2040
Ch Pavie (1GCC) 18
Bound to court controversy again this year. Some will love it, others hate it. Aromatically pitched closer to the Mediterranean with raisined fruit notes. Rich, thick fruit on the palate. Bold and full but keen acidity for balance. Huge, tight muscular frame. Built for the long haul. 2022-2045
Ch Pavie Macquin (1GCC) 18
Rich, dense and powerful but extremely well balanced. Huge depth of fruit. Striking freshness. Bags of ripe tannin. Great ageing potential. 2020-2040
Ch Beau-Séjour Bécot (1GCC) 17.5
Another fine effort from this consistent estate. Spicy, lifted aromas and deep colour give it a modern allure. Lovely volume of fruit. Powerful but refined tannins. Persistent. 2018-2040
Ch Bélair-Monange (1GCC) 17.5
Fresh and elegant in style but with an impressive density of fruit. Balanced and well defined. Follows in the footsteps of the excellent ’09. As good, perhaps better. 2018-2040
Ch La Gaffelière (1GCC) 17.5
Beautifully elegant wine with the extra depth of fruit similar to ’09. Fine, long finish with a cool limestone terroir note. 2018-2040
Ch Beauséjour (1GCC) 17
Elegant texture and tannins. Gentle, caressing fruit. Harmonious. Follows the progress made in ’09. 2018-2035
Ch Trottevieille (1GCC) 17
Dense, savoury nose with just a hint of oak. Solid attack followed by limestone terroir freshness and firm, muscular tannins. As always a little austere at this stage. 2020-2040
Ch Magdelaine (1GCC) 16.5
Sweet, ripe berry fruit nose – open and showy. Supple and round on the palate. A minerally, calcaire nuance on the finish but seems a little heavy and ponderous. 2018-203
Written by James Lawther MW
