Château Olivier 2018

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Olivier has a wonderfully intense perfume of kirsch, Black Forest cake, black raspberries and cassis, with suggestions of red roses, pencil shavings and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of ripe, expressive black and red berry layers, supported by finely grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing with great length and purity.

Singed applewood and licorice root notes lead the way in this slightly toothy version, with a mix of plum skin, cherry reduction, tar and bramble notes rambling through the finish. Burly now but it's all there; just cellar a bit. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2032. 10,000 cases made.

Balanced cocoa, chocolate, and lavender with smooth tannins. Savoury and bright with cherry, cumin, and clove notes. Fine, with a slightly bitter finish.

A beautiful, tight young wine that still delivers plenty of plum, chocolate, walnut and forest-floor character. It’s full-bodied, yet so poised and refined. Nicely crafted. Try after 2023.

The 2018 Olivier appears to have lost that touch of overripeness that I found in barrel and now feels more composed and focused, offering well-defined scents of blackberry, cassis and hints of melted tar and pitted black olive. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a slightly powdery texture, and graphite and cracked black pepper toward the finish. It has a classic feel, but I find this quite a sophisticated Olivier that should age well.

Refined, soft, elegant, forward, sweet, and with a red cherry and plum, tobacco and smoke–infused character, the wine ends with a bright, fresh hit of sweet red fruits.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Ripe plum fruit, preserved cherry, fine tobacco savouriness, delicate nougat. Juicy, elegant and balanced, good freshness, subtle tannins, already well developed and easy to drink. (2020-2040).

Bright dark purple colour. Youthful nose offering inky dark fruit like cassis, black cherry, plum with damp tobacco leaf and discreet oak notes. The palate is dense and concentrated with a finely polished texture, layers of inky dark fruit with fine spice and mocha flavours, good flavour intensity and a very long lingering finish.

Lots of plum, black raspberries, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and earthy notes emerge from the 2018 Château Olivier, and it's medium to full-bodied, ripe, mouth-filling, and fruit-loaded. It could use a touch more finesse and elegance and borders on overripe, but it does have charm and character.

Kunz barrel sample 19: peppery, light bouquet, blackberries, wood, smoke. Firm, medium-bodied palate with light fruit, finely sandy tannins, slightly angular structure, medium aromatics, light, dry finish.

Peppery, light bouquet, blackberries, wood, smoke. Firm, medium-bodied palate with light fruit, fine sandy tannins, slightly angular structure, medium aromatics, light, dry finish. 16/20 2023 - 2032

The 2018 Olivier is deep garnet purple in color. It opens with notions of vanilla and toasty oak, over a core of baked blueberries and warm plums, plus hints of pencil lead and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied, with a good amount of juicy black and blue fruit in the mouth, it has a chewy texture and a firm finish.

The nose is precise, with aromas of black and blue fruits, both noble and racy, while the palate reveals notes of blueberry candy, powerful acidity, and great distinction.

The nose is fruity and offers elegance, a hint of concentration, a fine grain and delicate depth. It reveals notes of crushed boysenberry, blackcurrant and, more lightly, violet and lily, combined with touches of fleshy strawberry and fleshy raspberry, as well as hints of licorice, Bourbon vanilla, incense and a very delicate touch of orange zest (in the background). The palate is fruity, balanced, characterful and well-defined, offering a zesty backbone, juiciness, smoothness and tension, with a certain straightness and freshness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/crushed blackberry, pulpy blackcurrant and, more lightly, fleshy strawberry, combined with touches of cornflower, lily and licorice stick, as well as small hints of crushed red berries, camphor and Bourbon vanilla. The tannins are well handled, precise and elegant. A certain indulgence on the finish/retro-nasal.

Dark, intense, and vibrant color. Very aromatic nose, delicate, fruity, ripe, and subtle. Nuances of fine Cabernet Sauvignons. Smoky touch. Delicate on the attack, very flavorful mid-palate, with depth and the most complete progression I’ve known from it; the wine unfolds with a refined texture, always perfumed and without any tannic edges. On the contrary, it gives beautiful space to the aromatic side. After 24 hours, it holds its fine posture. A great renewal.

94–96. Barrel Sample. This is a firmly structured wine with powerful tannins that contrast with the intense acidity and ripe black-currant flavor. It has a smoky edge and a hint of pepper. The future is good for this wine.