2018 Chateau Potensac

94 POINTS

James Suckling

Fruity nose of blackcurrant and blueberry with sage and vanilla. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins. Savory and juicy with pleasant acidity. Compact and long. Racy. 45% merlot, 36% cabernet sauvignon,18% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2023.

93 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep ruby, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Hints of ripe plums, merlot-influenced aromatics, black cherries, orange zest. Taut on the palate, deep, pronounced in fruit texture, mineral, ripe tannins, good length, great food companion with good ageing potential.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

The excellence of this lies in the quality of the tannins, which are so polished and refined. Compact and tight. Medium-bodied. Very, very long. Beauty already. Points: 93-94

91 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Under the same ownership as Château Léoville-las-Cases in Saint-Julien, this estate performs way above its appellation. With rich tannins and layers of ripe Merlot, the wine has a proper structure and sense of purpose, and will age well. Drink from 2025.

91 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

2018 was the warmest season of the last 10 years at Potensac, with just under half the usual rainfall over the summer. The property has produced a great bottle: bright and cheery with vibrant fruit, it's highly enjoyable and approachable. You rarely find such impressive mid-palate focus in the Médoc, and that alone makes this a year worth exploring for the wines at this price level.

90 POINTS

Wine Spectator

The dark cherry and plum fruit is fresh and direct, with light tobacco and toast accents hanging on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Score range: 89-92

Jane Anson - Decanter

This has a ton of bright fruit and graphite. The extraction is not quite as effortless as at its sibling estate, Leoville Las Cases, with the tannins a touch weighty in this second wine but still with plenty of good fruit. Harvested 21 September to 13 October, yielding 49hl/ha. 40% of production went into this second wine. 3.57pH.

Wine Spectator

Damson plum, cherry and savory notes meld together nicely, set against a backdrop of light cedar and sanguine accents on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.