Rated 94-96 Points Jeb Dunnuck
An estate that’s on an upward trajectory, having just completed work on a new cellar, the 2018 Château Ripeau comes from just over 12 hectares of vines situated near the likes of Cheval Blanc, Figeac, and La Dominique, and is a rough blend of 67% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon that will spend 16-18 months in new French oak. It offers a deep purple color as well as terrific purity and precision in its vibrant cassis and black raspberry fruits and notes of spring flowers, spice box, and earth. Medium to full-bodied, silky, and seamless on the palate, it has building tannins, ample mid-palate depth, and good concentration, and stays light on its feet and incredibly elegant. This estate is managed by Julien Salles and gets consulting advice from Claude Gros. My money is on this 2018 being the best to date, and I suspect the best is still to come!

Rated 94 Points James Suckling
Aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry, praline, spice box and some toffee. Dried lemon zest, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Creamy and caressing with rich layers of fruit and dark spice. Try from 2024.

Rated 91-93 Points Wine Advocate
This vineyard has a little over eight hectares in production, and the average age of the vines in 2018 was 35 to 40 years old. The soil is composed of sandy, slightly gravelly soils atop a ferrous clay subsoil. The blend is 67% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Total aging is expected to run 16 to 18 months in 100% new barrels, and the wine has 14.2% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Ripeau opens with blackberry pie, warm plums and black raspberries scents with suggestions of Christmas cake, truffles and earth. Full, rich and spicy in the mouth, the velvety palate has lovely freshness and a long, savory finish.