Badette 2018 (750ML)

93-95 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Badette comes from the lieu-dit Badette in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. The Blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine is aging in 50% new and 50% second year oak barrels and the estimated aging regimen will run 18 months. With 14% alcohol and a deep purple-black color, it sings of crushed blueberries, warm plums and chocolate-covered cherries with a cedar-kissed undercurrent and loads of exotic spice sparks-cassis, fenugreek and star anise-plus a waft of forest floor. Full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, it has a wonderful line of freshness, with finely grained tannins and a long, mineral-tinged finish." 4/19

92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2018 Badette has a pure, gorgeous nose of multilayered black cherries, blueberry, menthol and light truffle scents; it just blossoms with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine bead of acidity, quite streamlined toward the finish and displaying impressive tension. Maybe this intends to be a longer-term Saint-Émilion than I expected. Anyway, this is a great wine and I look forward to seeing it evolve in bottle." 03/21

90-93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2018 Badette is a gorgeous wine that shows the richer, darker side of Saint-Émilion off to great effect. Black cherry, plum, sweet oak chocolate, new leather, spice and menthol infuse this brooding, potent Saint-Émilion. Badette is not shy by any means, but it has a ton of character. The oak needs time to settle, and yet the wine appears to have the fruit richness to handle it. The blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted two times." 4/19

92-93 Points, James Suckling: "A tight and polished red with dark-berry, chocolate and hazelnut character. Medium body, refined tannins and a flavorful finish." 4/19

94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "This estate continues to fire on all cylinders, and they're produced a beautiful 2018 Château Badette based on 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by rock star notes of blueberries, cassis, candied violets, toasty oak, and graphite. Developing plenty of classic Saint-Emilion chalky minerality with time in the glass, it's medium to full-bodied and has an elegant, pretty texture, stays light on its feet, yet still has impressive concentration as well as building tannins. Buy a case, give bottles 2-4 years, and enjoy over the following decade or more." 03/21