Château Barde-Haut 2013

The élevage has been well integrated, making it less robust and angular than en primeur, with plenty of body and depth. The finish is fresh and long-lasting. Delightful.

A light savory hint is quickly absorbed by the core of soft plum and blueberry fruit, with light anise and cocoa notes holding sway on the modestly fleshy finish. Drink now through 2019. 3,333 cases made.

Sweet, ripe, fruit-accented nose and palate. Medium-bodied, fresh and clean.

The 2013 Barde-Haut shows a more marine element on the nose than the previous vintage. Vivid black fruit, hints of oyster shell and raspberry pastille. The oak is nicely integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, quite fleshy and, perhaps, I would have liked a little more grip. Red and black fruit, clove, black pepper and touches of spice lace the finish, which could use a bit more precision, but otherwise this is a turn-up for the books and, in this challenging vintage, foreshadows the great wines that followed. Tasted at the Barde-Haut vertical at the château.

A medium-bodied, forward, softly textured, open wine with licorice, red cherry, smoke and espresso notes, best enjoyed young.

The 2013 Château Barde-Haut is a charming yet mid-weight, slightly herbal/vegetal effort that has attractive chocolate dark fruits and green tobacco aromas, medium body, good acidity, and a clean finish. Those that don't mind some overt green aromas and flavors will find even more to like here than I did, but it's certainly a solid effort in a difficult vintage.

Dark garnet, fairly full at the core, ruby rim. Sweetish plum bouquet, subtly milky, with a floral touch. On the palate, plenty of blueberry notes, with licorice and cassis on the aromatic finish. I like it a lot. This will be a fun, very good-quality Saint-Emilion.

Silky texture, barrique-driven bouquet, black cherries, caramel, vanilla, toasted notes. Plush, medium-bodied palate with delicate fruit, medium dry tannins, a firm core, and a dry finish. Has room to improve. 16/20 2019 - 2032

Deep garnet in color, the 2013 Barde Haut features vibrant Morello cherries and raspberries with earth, herbs, and pepper. The medium-bodied palate is lively and elegant, with chewy tannins and a lifted finish.

Clear and tender, with a pleasant savoury edge, the 2013 doesn’t try to impress but stands out as a real success given the vintage.

The colour is black and the concentration has been pushed to the limit, resulting in great austerity.

Dark, intense color with slight evolution. Moderately aromatic, fruity nose. Very fruity palate with a creamy texture, flavorful, with well-coated tannins. Normal, flavorful length.