Château Beauséjour - Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018

Vinous

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse was picked from 25 September to 4 October for the Merlot and on 3 and 8 October for the Cabernet Franc, cropped at 27.5hl/ha. This is a Saint-Émilion that exhibits a little sur-maturité on the nose, especially going back and forth nosing between this and its sibling, Pavie-Macquin (both made by Nicolas Thienpont). Likewise the palate has a slightly viscous texture, very opulent and dense with dark plum, blackcurrant and veins of dark chocolate towards the saturated finish. There is quite a difference between this two crus, but on this occasion, despite this having lower alcohol (14.3%), it is the Pavie-Macquin that shows the mineralité and terroir expression that I look for.

Bettane & Desseauve

96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2019

Eloge de l’élégance, de la fraîcheur, de la texture satinée et de la finale empreinte d’émotion, ce cru est au mieux de ses formes.

Jeb DUNNUCK

97-99 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/1/2019

A brilliant follow up to the thrilling 2016, the 2018 Château Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) is a mix of 80/20 of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. As seamless and sexy as they come, with brilliant cassis, blueberry, violets, and background spicy oak, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate depth, ultra-fine tannins, and a finish that won't quite. It's another magical wine from this estate that will be enjoyable with just 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for three decades or more.

La Revue du Vin de France

18-19 / 20

the4/24/2019

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

This is another off the hook vintage from Beausejour Duffau. I do not know where to start or to stop praising this wine. The texture is surreal. The level of density, concentration and power combined with more than ample energy is incredible. The wine tastes like you grabbed a handful of berries off the vine and placed them in a Vita mix blender with rocks and stones and drank it on the spot! After a recent vertical at Beausejour I was convinced they could never make a better wine than the 2010. Wrong! Very little of this elixir is made. So if you have the chance to buy it, do not pass. This is a cellar gem! The wine is made from blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.5% alcohol. The harvest took place September 25-October 5. Only 1,150 cases were produced.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is just a little reduced at this nascent juncture, opening to reveal decadent black plum preserves, blueberry compote and spice cake scents with hints of mincemeat pie, dried roses, star anise and cardamom plus a waft of charcuterie. Full-bodied, rich and densely laden with layers of black fruit and savory nuances, it has a rock-solid structure of firm, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with mineral sparks.

Decanter.com

99 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2019

Nicolas Thienpont has been director here for 10 years now, and the changes that he has brought have had a stunning and important effect, firmly placing this as one of the best estates in the appellation. Everything feels a little deeper and darker than its sibling Pavie Macquin in this vintage: the tannins are a little less pliant and a little more serious. This is clearly going to age well - you can feel the scrape of the limestone, the concentration of the cassis and tight tobacco flavours, the lift of the spices through the finish, and the tannic mass that's undeniable. 2018 saw half the normal yield, down in the mid-20hl/ha, and you can't miss the concentration it lends to the wine. The vines come from the slopes with clay over limestone, and with such natural power allied to these low yields I am sure this will take a full 10 years to become drinkable, but watch it really come into its own in 40 or 50 years! 98-100 points.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

This is a perfumed wine, with delicious spice, tannins and acidity all coming together well. Its black plum flavor is well integrated with the structure of this fine, fruity wine that has a bright future.

Jamessuckling.com

99-100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

A muscular and powerful young wine with incredible depth and power. Full-bodied, layered and dense. Flexes its muscle with every sip, yet there’s agility and precision to it at the same time. Blueberries, salt, white pepper and stone. Purple fruit. Amazing depth.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-97 / 100

byYves Beckthe4/1/2019

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Pourpre violacé. Bouquet intense, complexe, marqué par des notes de fèves de cacao et de mûres. Touche épicée avec du poivre de Sichuan. Au palais, le vin est compact et crémeux. Ses tannins se révèlent lentement et présentent un grain fin. Lentement, la structure révèle également sa fraîcheur et son côté mordant. Belle tension en fin de bouche mais également beaucoup de finesse, de densité et de précision. Un vin de caractère. 2024-2048

Wine Spectator

95-98 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/28/2019

Showy, with boysenberry and plum flavors liberally laced with red licorice notes. The fruit is flamboyant, but this reveals honest grip and solid energy through the finish.