Clos de Bouard - Montagne Saint-Emilion 2018

Vinous

91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Clos de Boüard is a bold, punchy wine. Succulent dark cherry, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice, menthol and new oak are all kicked up in this juicy wine from Montagne Saint-Émilion. Readers will find a big, full wine built on textural richness. The oak is maybe just a bit much, but time will help address at least some of that. The 2018 has really come together nicely during élevage.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

The Grand Vin is the 2018 Château Clos De Boüard, a deeper, richer wine that's going to benefit from bottle age. Lots of darker currants, cherries, sandalwood, incense, and spicy notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a balanced, layered texture, some firm yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93 / 100

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Deep ruby in color, you find the espresso, licorice, black plum and cherry nuances on the nose and palate. Round, lush, soft, silky and fresh, the fruit is ripe, sweet and earthy, with good length, refinement and a hint of espresso and cocoa on the backend.

Vinous

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Clos de Boüard has a generous, ripe bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry and light violet aromas that all gain intensity with aeration. The palate is ripe and quite extracted on the entry. A powerful Montagne Saint-Émilion with grippy tannins, though it needs a little more amplitude toward the finish, which feels strict and linear. It does open up with aeration and should come around with 2–3 years in bottle.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Expressive, with a mix of savory and tobacco leaf notes amidst black cherry and black currant paste flavors. Frankly toasted on the finish, but there's good energy and a nice hint of warm earth as well. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2024. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 5,416 cases made. –JM

Yvesbeck.wine

93 / 100

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Le bouquet de Clos de Boüard affiche une très belle symbiose entre terroir, fraîcheur, nuances fruitées et élevage. J'y relève des baies noires, un peu de réglisse, une note crayeuse et une délicate touche épicée. En bouche le vin est élégant et équilibré. Il a du corps, des tannins précis, soyeux, de la race et une bonne intensité aromatique, jusqu'en finale. Belle réussite.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/19/2021

Dark-berry, violet, black-tea and cedar aromas. Hint of oyster shell, too. It’s medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Sleek and refined. Try from 2024.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe1/12/2021

WeinWisser

17,5 / 20

the5/7/2019

Vinifera

90 /

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Plus structuré que la Dame de Boüard, il présente un fruité mûr et frais sur une structure équilibrée et une finale au tanin bien ciselé. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Black plums, licorice, smoke, espresso and chocolate are easily discerned. On the palate, the wine is lush, polished, round and silky. The fruits are ripe, the tannins are polished and the finish mixes dark red fruits with cocoa, licorice, smoke and spice. This is only the second vintage for Coralie de Bouard, who was not able to produce a wine in 2017, due to difficult weather conditions. The wine is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Clos de Bouärd delivers pronounced notions of wild blueberries, mulberries and Black Forest cake with touches of fragrant earth and wild sage. Full-bodied, it has a rock-solid frame of chewy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing with an herbal lift. The blend here is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/15/2019

What a beautiful wine with fantastic, polished tannins and beautiful fruit. This tastes like pure St.-Emilion, but it’s from Montagne. Medium-to full-bodied, very racy and beautiful.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

92 / 100

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Bright plum and bitter cherry fruit is laced with a flash of anise. Reveals a singed wood echo on the finish.