2018 Château Retout Cru Bourgeois Haut Médoc

97 POINTS

Decanter

Elegant and perfumed yet powerful nose, notes of fresh fig, plum and blackcurrant, violet and lily. Poised, intense but refined. Stunning! - Judge Vincenzo Arnese (Decanter Magazine Tasting Panel)

95 POINTS

Decanter

Located just south of CussacFort-Médoc, du Retout has 34ha of vineyards for red wines, sitting on clay/gravel and deep Garonne gravel-based soils; vines average 30 years old and some were planted in the 1950s. The 2018 blend was 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28.5% Merlot and 11.5% Petit Verdot, handpicked and sorted, fermented in stainless steel with twice-daily rack and return, then aged for 12 months in 33% new barriques. Georgina Hindle: Aromatic and expressive, alive and upfront. A celebration of cherry fruit: ripe, fresh, potent, with cherry stones, liquorice and graphite. Nuance and texture, with lots to like. Vincenzo Arnese: Elegant and perfumed yet powerful nose, notes of fresh fig, plum and blackcurrant, violet and lily. Poised, intense but refined. Stunning! Daphne Teremetz: Ripe black cherry and blackcurrant cordial. Pure ripe black fruit with a floral violet lift. Plush tannins and a little coffee bean oak on the finish. Judges: Georgina Hindle, Vincenzo Arnese, Daphne Teremetz

93 POINTS

Andrew Caillard MW

Deep crimson. Attractive developed cassis, red cherry, truffle-like, dark chocolate aromas with roasted walnut notes. Intense blackcurrant pastille, red cherry, walnutty flavours with truffle forest-floor like notes and fine leafy textures. Velveteen firm at the finish. Drink now - will keep for a while. Should represent very good value when compared to Grand Cru prices. 14% alc 93+ points

92 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

This wine has dense tannins along with perfumed spice, rich blackberry fruits and the weight of the alcohol. At this stage, all the elements are poised to integrate, promising a wine with a rich, full and concentrated future. Drink from 2024.

91 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Inviting dark forest berry confit, some nougat, fine tobacco savouriness. Juicy and round, delciate liquorice, mineral, fine acidity, salty touch on the finish, offers uncomplicated drinking pleasure.

91 POINTS

James Suckling

A balanced, refined red with layers of fine tannins that are polished and very pretty. Medium body. Nice brightness and a fresh finish.

90 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Ripe boysenberry and cherry jam notes are a bit exuberant but stay focused through the spice-tinged finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Score range: 89-92