2018 Graves red and white wines offer serious value with very good style and character. Plus they sell for a song and drink well early. In fact, most of these wines are already quite delicious and can be enjoyed on release.
The following 2018 Graves red and white wines were all tasted in my home office in non-blind conditions.
2018 – Bonnat Blanc – Light, fresh, sweet citrus with hints of orange and pineapple for early drinking pleasure. 85 Pts
2018 – Brondelle – Soft, supple, charm-filled, medium/light bodied wine loaded with sweet, ripe red fruits. You can drink this with pleasure on release and over the near term. 88 Pts
2018 – Brondelle Blanc – Light, easy drinking, forward with a fresh, yellow citrus character in the finish. 84 Pts
2018 – Chantegrive – Forward, medium bodied, elegant, fresh, sweet, soft and smoky styled wine. The fruit has a really nice touch this year, good ripeness, vibrancy and a bit of smoke in the red berry finish. 89 Pts
2018 – Chantegrive Caroline – Lemon, pear, honeysuckle and green apple fruits are ripe, juicy and fresh. Creamy in texture with freshness and plenty of pomelo and lemon in the finish, this is really showing well. 92 Pts
2018 – Chantegrive Blanc – Sweet, fresh, juicy, vibrant grapefruit, lemon and white peach fruits come though on the nose and juicy, creamy textured palate. This is perfect for near term drinking. 90 Pts
2018 – Clos Floridène – With a ripe, fresh, metallic, cherry note, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, and fruity, with loads of ripe, red plums in the finish. You can drink this forward styled wine on release. 87 Pts
2018 – Fougeres Clos Montesquieu – Forward, with a gentle smoky, espresso and tobacco edge to pair with the soft, sweet, ripe, medium-bodied red fruits. This elegantly styled early drinking charmer is ready to go. 87 Pts
2018 – Haura – Medium-bodied, fresh, soft and supple, forward, silky and fresh, you can enjoy this on release and over the next 5-8 years. 88 Pts
2018 – Haut Selve Blanc – Green apple, herbs and citrus notes are found on the nose and palate. The finish has a nice, light, creamy touch to the yellow citrus. This is ready to drink now and will be at its best over the next few years. 86 Pts
2018 – Haut Selve – Smoke, cigar box and tobacco leaf aromas shine brightly before you find the dark red fruits. Refined, elegant, soft and polished with a delicate, smoky red berry finish. This will be a pleasure to enjoy on release. 89 Pts
2018 – Le Prelat de Pape Clement – Jammy red fruits with a touch of citrus and smoke are displayed on the nose of this medium-bodied, forward, soft textured, cherry dominated wine. You can enjoy this on release for all its up-front qualities. 87 Pts
2018 – Le Prelat de Pape Clement Blanc – Fresh, bright, lively shot of yellow citrus with orange, mango and a touch of tart green apple that is already for your pleasure. This is perfect for easy, summer and near-term drinking. 88 Pts
2018 – Lesparre – Olives, herbs and bright, crisp red fruits in a medium-bodied, soft, forward style, finishing with a piquant red berries and herbs. 85 Pts
2018 – Lesparre Blanc – Light jolt of fresh citrus with balancing notes of lemon peel and a dab of honey in the finish. Drink this over the next year or two. 84 Pts
2018 – Mejean – Ripe, round, soft, forward, supple textured, medium-bodied, smoky, dark red cherry filled wine that is already accessible. This is a superb, Bordeaux value wine from the Graves appellation. 89 Pts
2018 – Peyrat – Medium-bodied, soft, forward, earthy, fresh, spicy red berry filled wine that is made for early-drinking consumption. 88 Pts
2018 – Portets – Smoky black cherries, licorice and coffee bean fill out the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, forward and easy to like, the wine leaves you with fresh, sweet, polished, smoked red fruits and spiced coffee notes. You can enjoy this on release and for at least another decade after that. 88 Pts
2018 – Portets Blanc – Fresh, light blend of yellow and orange citrus with a light lemon and herb finish. Drink this over the next 2-3 years. 85 Pts
2018 – Rahoul Blanc – Fresh, grapefruit, yellow citrus and green apple packed wine with hints of vanilla and flowers that is already tasting just great. 89 Pts
2018 – Rahoul – Earthy, spicy, bright red fruits with accents of tobacco and cedar open nicely before you get to the medium-bodied core of red fruits on the mid-palate and soft textured finish. This will be quite easy to enjoy on release. 89 Pts
