2018 La Tour du Haut Moulin

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Tour du Haut-Moulin has a cedary nose to start, giving way to a core of baked plums and blackberry preserves, with a waft of pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate is well-crafted with soft tannins and well-balanced acidity supporting the juicy black fruits, finishing savory.

The 2018 Tour du Haut Moulin has a straightforward nose of blackberry, bilberry and touches of cedar and leather, although it would benefit from more delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, but I find the oak impedes on the finish at the expense of the fruit and terroir. Give it a year in bottle.

Classic cassis and tobacco notes as well as cedar emerge from the 2018 Château Tour Du Haut Moulin, a medium-bodied, nicely textured, balanced Haut-Médoc with ripe tannins, good purity of fruit, and just a balanced, classic style that should keep for 10-12 years.