2018 Le Thil (Comte Clary)
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Le Thil Comte Clary is tight-knit on the nose of blackberry and bilberry fruit and just a splash of India ink, all displaying fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit on the entry. The acidity is finely judged here and there is a lovely powdery, charcoal-tinged finish that expresses classicism and impressive clarity. This is an excellent Pessac-Leognan.
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The Merlot-dominated 2018 Château Le Thil, which comes from the team at Smith Haut Lafitte, reveals a dense purple color as well as a smoking good nose of ripe black cherries, currants, new saddle leather, tapenade, chocolate, and leafy tobacco and herbs. With lots of Merlot juiciness, medium to full-bodied richness, and more supple tannins, drink this ripe, sexy, gorgeous Pessac-Léognan any time over the coming 10-15 years.
The 2018 Le Thil is a bold, powerful wine. All of the intensity of Merlot planted on clay, allied with small berries from the warm growing season, yields a potent Pessac-Léognan with real density and structure. I would enjoy this hearty, brooding Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend over the next 7-10 years, preferably at the dinner table, with hearty fare.