Clos Haut-Peyraguey 2018

Bright and floral up front, with honeysuckle and orange blossom notes darting to the fore while peach, pineapple and white ginger notes form the core. Stays fresh through the finish. Nicely done for the vintage. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2035.

This is silky but with a proper mule kick of acidity on the finish, given layers and depth by gunsmoke. This has great balance — a lemon curd start and a lime zest finish. Enjoyable.

Raisin, marmalade and honey. Some ginger notes as well. It’s full-bodied with a rich texture and palate. Some spices on the finish. Flavorful. Try after 2024.

97% Sémillon, 3% Sauvignon Blanc, yield 13 hl/ha. 40% new oak. RS 137 g/l, TA 3.6 g/l, pH 3.85. Barrel sample. Relatively deep in colour but not very expressive on the nose. More almond paste and creamy oak than fruit, though the palate shows much more intense fruit, apricot and bitter orange bringing intensity and freshness to the longer finish. (JH)

The 2018 Clos Haut-Peyraguey has a perfumed nose of yellow flowers, almond and peachy notes, plus a touch of crushed stone tucked underneath. The palate is very well balanced with lemon sherbet, apricot and dried honey on the entry. This feels very cohesive, not powerful but delineated, and quite persistent on the finish. Excellent.

A lighter, forward-styled sweet wine focusing on its Christmas spice, honeyed tangerine, mango, and pineapple on the nose and palate. I really like the nutty spice character, with cinnamon and orange-sickle notes on the finish.

Medium yellow gold, silver reflections. Somewhat restrained nose, fine botrytis savouriness with hints of blood orange, ripe mango and honey. Moderately complex palate, fresh ripe peach and subtle acidity. Lively and already drinking well. (2020-2040)

Medium deep golden colour. Intense perfume of jasmine, saffron, orange rind, apricot and honey. A lovely texture with a creamy yet fresh sensation, voluminous with layers of yellow fruit, saffron, sweet pepper and honey, with fine extract adding lift and length. Long and lingering finish, excellent potential even if it is already very tempting.

Kunz barrel sample 19: silky, medium-bodied, closed bouquet, apricots, light caramel, vanilla powder, Turkish nougat, mirabelles. Dense, lush, fruity palate with velvety fruit, nicely opulent sweetness, fresh acidity, powerful, complex aromatics, long, generous finish.

Silky texture, medium body, closed bouquet, apricots, light caramel, vanilla powder, Turkish delight, mirabelles. Dense, opulent, fruity palate with velvety fruit, well-opulent sweetness, fresh acidity, powerful and complex aromatics, long, lavish finish. 18/20 2024 - 2050

The 2018 Haut-Peyraguey is pale lemon-yellow in color. It is a little closed, with notes of poached pears and apple pie, plus wafts of honeycomb and praline. It has medium sweetness, giving a refreshing style, with apple and spices on the finish.

A First Growth at this price is a real bargain for anyone who loves sweet wines—or is already thinking about the holiday season. Majestic and fascinating, this cuvée reveals great aromatic finesse. The palate is rich, full, fresh, and perfectly balanced, like the pole of a high‑wire artist, leaning neither toward sweetness nor acidity, so that the whole comes together in the most harmonious way.

Subtle, filigreed bouquet. Floral and fruity character, with notes of linden blossom. Balanced, elegant, gourmand and already very approachable. It’s clear the focus was put on finesse! Bravo

The nose is fruity, racy, and offers complexity along with lovely freshness. It reveals notes of quince, crystallized lemon and, more subtly, candied mirabelle plum, combined with a hint of marmalade, verbena, flowers, as well as discreet touches of nuts, exotic fruit, marzipan, and spices. The palate is fruity, beautifully fresh, balanced, and offers juiciness, fine definition, lovely finesse, elegance, a finely tangy framework, gourmandise, and tension. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of candied lemon, quince and, more lightly, candied apple, combined with fine touches of candied mirabelle plum, marzipan, apricot jam/honey, as well as very discreet hints of nutmeg and spices. Good length and very fine persistence on the finish.

Refined, fruity, subtle, and noble nose. Flavorful palate with plenty of taste. A lovely, fragrant finish where nuances of herbal tea and fresh fruit return.

Rich and concentrated, this wine is a success from this difficult vintage. With flavors of ripe apricot, orange marmalade and honey, along with layers of dry botrytis, the wine has all the elements for some good aging. Drink from 2025.