AMIRAL DE BEYCHEVELLE 2018, St. Julien

A rock star of a second wine already offering pleasure, the 2018 Amiral De Beychevelle checks in as 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that comes from the younger vines of the estate and slightly more sandy soils. This makes for a more up-front, fruit-driven wine that reveals a deep purple hue as well as sumptuous array of blueberries, black cherries, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, and spring flowers. It's classic Bordeaux on the nose, yet has a wonderful sweetness of fruit, ripe, polished tannins, no hard edges, and just a balanced, seamless style that's ideal for enjoying over the coming 10-15 years. - 93pt Jeb Dunnuck