Château Couhins 2018

Spicy aromatics; elegant attack, dense and linear structure, fresh tannins, long finish; balanced and well made.

A touch of reduction. There is attractive grip here, with dark berry fruits and momentum through the palate, giving a sense of Pessac-Léognan polish, but it never really lifts off. Good for medium-term drinking; plenty of the structure and silk of the appellation.

Very pretty blueberry and chocolate with some walnut and bark undertones. Pretty, pure fruit here. Medium to full body with creamy, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink in 2024.

Barrel sample. Inky crimson. Dark-fruited but a bit stewed on the nose – could be the sample. Tough. Second sample is much fresher on the nose though still very ripe. And still tough in the dense tannins. Their white is so much better. (JH)

The 2018 Couhins has really come together nicely. Rich dark fruit, chocolate, new leather and licorice all power through as this unapologetically opulent wine shows off its personality. There is plenty of tannin, but also enough fruit to keep things in balance. This is a decidedly extroverted style.

Ripe, elegant, soft, smoky, medium-bodied fruits with a nice sense of lift and refinement on the palate, which carries through to the cigar box–tinged finish. This is much nicer in bottle than in barrel.

Deep ruby garnet with purple reflections and a subtle edge brightening. Ripe plums, a hint of sour cherry, liquorice and tobacco show on the nose, with a layer of nougat underneath. There's medium complexity on the palate with a core of red cherries and some subtle tannins, with a fresh mineral edge that makes for an already drinkable bottle and an uncomplicated food companion. (2020-2040).

Another fruit-loaded 2018 with loads of character, the 2018 Château Couhins gives up ample red currant and black cherry-like fruits as well as medium to full body, notes of leafy herbs, earth, and saddle leather, soft, supple tannins (but plenty of them), and a great finish. Give bottles 3-4 years and drink over the following 10-12. The blend is 56% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, brought up in one-third new French oak.

Kunz barrel sample 19: Light, fragrant bouquet, cherries, red plums, plain yogurt, mint, fresh herbs. Silky, light, refined palate with good fruit, delicate structure, good tannin, medium aromatics, fine finish. Has room to improve.

Light, fragrant bouquet with cherries, red plums, natural yogurt, mint, fresh herbs. Silky, light, fine palate with good fruit, delicate structure, good tannins, medium aromatics, fine finish. Still has room to improve. 16/20 2022 - 2034

The nose is precise and offers a hint of power, a fine grain and a certain intensity with finesse. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, grey pepper and, more subtly, violet, combined with touches of fleshy woodland strawberry, as well as very discreet hints of camphor/pencil lead and subtle hints of tonka bean. The palate is fruity, juicy, mineral, balanced, and offers a fine, tangy backbone, smoothness, roundness and juiciness, a delicate tension and a fine silkiness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, juicy blackberry and, more slightly, violet, combined with touches of crushed red berries and lilac, as well as hints of chocolate, tonka bean and tobacco, with very discreet hints of vanilla pod on the finish. The tannins are well handled. Good length.

Dark red color. Good intensity. Beautiful. Clean nose of medium intensity, fruity, ripe, creamy. The palate is supple on the attack, suave as it develops, very fruity and slightly oaky. The wine unfolds with a normal length. Blend: 56% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 6% cabernet franc.

This wine is richly endowed with dark tannins and swathes of ripe black fruits. Dry with a dense tannic character, the wine has a good future. The black fruits and rich structure promise much. Drink from 2025.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Couhins gives up vibrant notes of fresh black cherries, kirsch and cassis, plus hints of licorice, tilled soil and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, supported by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy.