Apologies for the nine month delay in getting these detailed notes up on wines from the Haut-Médoc in 2019. I blame pressure of the day job. Overall 2019 was a very impressive vintage for the wines of this district, and they showed particularly well at the UGCB tasting the November before last. The picks? Château La Lagune was very impressive, certainly one of the best wines here in over a decade and almost up there with the beautiful 2005 in my book. Close by Château Cantemerle has also made a very good wine in 2019. Château Belgrave and near neighbour Château de Camensac in St Laurent [close to the St Julien appellation] were also excellent. The former structured and sturdy, the latter fresh and pure. Château La Tour Carnet is typically lush and flamboyant too. I’m a great fan of Château Beaumont and Château Citran and both deliver fresh and positive wines in 2019. Overall, this appellation is a provider of very good value reds and these Haut-Médoc’s will provide a lot of pleasure for the Bordeaux lover over the coming years at a decent price.

Château Beaumont, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Earthy purple at edge; attractive briary notes, blackcurrants; some earth and peat; fresh entry to the palate; nicely balanced, mid-weight wine. Elegant and positive drink. [53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2023-2029. 88+

Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Deep and intense looking; still purple at edge; lifted ripe blackcurrant aromatics; attractive sweet and ripe fruit tones; some oak influence on the palate which makes it somewhat sturdy and structured. Feels like it needs 3-5 years to show its best. Intense. Some tannin on the finish. [62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2025-2034. 91

Château de Camensac, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Mid depth; earthy purple at edge; saline, open; fresh red and black fruits; strong blackcurrant aromatics; like the purity here; nicely textured palate; has depth and but also freshness; fleet of foot – nimble wine. Earthy cabernet tones on the finish – like this. Moreish and fresh. [55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2023-2035. 91+

Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Earthy red purple; quite lush aromatics with red and black fruits; savoury tones too; open and lifted; fresh blackcurrants on the palate; nice texture and acidity here; will work well. [68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2023-2035. 91

Château Citran, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Mid depth; earthy purple at edge; looser at rim than some; pretty plum and vibrant black fruit notes; blueberry tones; nice purity on the palate; fresh and quite nimble; some tannin on the finish but this is nicely balanced Bordeaux. A little dry on the finish but this will settle. On the border with Margaux and similarly styled to those in the northern part of the appellation, just further inland from Tayac. [49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2023-2032. 89+

Château Coufran, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Mid depth; earthy red/purple; plummy black fruits on the nose; round and lush on the palate; a generous mouthful; has extract and flesh. Structure too. Needs a bit of time for the tannins to settle. This property usually ages the wine for several years before releasing when they consider mature. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2025-2033. 87+

Château La Lagune, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Deeply coloured; earthy purple at edge; little dumb at first and aromatics subdued; ripe and textured fruit on the palate; real finesse here with complexity. This will come good. The 2005 here is currently on song [and has been for several years]. [65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2025-2040. 93+

Château de Lamarque, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Mid depth; earthy red at edge; sturdy and stalky blackcurrant aromatics; traditional; fresh blackcurrants on the palate; works well; very good effort and softer than I recall this property usually being. [42% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2024-2038. 88

Château La Tour Carnet, Haut-Médoc, 2019

Deep and saturated look; earthy at edge; lush and overt; real depth and plushness here; creamy but with some freshness; lots of plush fruit on the palate; nicely handled; feels like Pomerol in the Haut-Médoc a little! Savoury on the mid palate; tannins soft on the end. This is textured and very good. [65% Merlot, 33.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted Nov ’21. Drink 2023-2038. 92+