Château Lamothe-Bergeron Haut-Médoc 2018 - Cru Bourgeois Supérieur

A renowned estate that was all the rage in the 19th century, this “sleeping beauty” awoke in fine form four years ago, thanks to its acquisition by the Mounier cognac house. Laurent Méry serves as its director. Located between Margaux and Saint-Julien on gravelly terroirs, the vineyard spans nearly 70 hectares, planted equally with Cabernet and Merlot. Extensive renovations have been undertaken to restore the château to its former glory. Modern and avant-garde, with guidance from Hubert de Boüard (Château Angélus), the wine retains its finesse and elegance.

With a promising future ahead, this highly successful 2018 vintage immediately stands out for the elegance of its bouquet, which opens with blackberry notes and beautiful toasted, vanilla-like oak. A harmonious blend of fruit and oak is evident on the palate, which is round, smooth, and soft, supported by tannins that are distinct yet velvety. 2025–2030

A "cru bourgeois" that has been producing wine since the Middle Ages. It owes its name to the agronomist Jacques de Bergeron, who developed a grafting method in the early 19th century. Surrounded by a 19th-century building, the vineyard covers nearly 80 hectares and is owned by the H. Mounier and Hardy cognac houses.

 

With Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant variety, this wine showcases the richness of the vintage. With aromas of blackberry, its rich tannins indicate that the wine is still maturing. It will be worth waiting until 2023.

An appealing nose of blackberry, red currant, and bark, followed by a medium-bodied palate with firm, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Needs time to soften. Try it after 2023.

A distinctive bouquet with good intensity, featuring notes of blackcurrant and blueberry followed by a refreshing hint of eucalyptus. A creamy, rich attack. The wine is full-bodied and features fine-grained tannins that provide excellent structure. A balanced, elegant yet powerful wine that warrants some aging. A fruity and lingering finish. A truly outstanding achievement from Lamothe-Bergeron! 2024–2040

The nose offers subtle complexity. It reveals notes of blackberry, sweet blond tobacco, juicy cherry, and, more subtly, fleshy strawberry, combined with hints of rose and violet, as well as a discreet touch of camphor, almond, and nutmeg. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, a mineral backbone, a touch of roundness, and a subtle smoothness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy boysenberry, crushed blackcurrant, and, to a lesser extent, vibrant cherry, combined with subtle hints of crushed red berries, as well as hints of lilac, fresh violet, blond tobacco, a subtle hint of nutmeg and chocolate, and an imperceptible hint of rose. Good length.