Close to an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 8% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Beaumont sports a deep purple color as well as impressive notes of blackcurrants, smoke tobacco and graphite. It's rich, nicely concentrated, has present, ripe tannin, plenty of depth, and a great finish.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Beaumont leaps from the glass with vibrant black and red cherries and warm cassis notes plus an undercurrent of bay leaves, lavender and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, the mid-palate is taut and muscular with plenty of energy and an herbal lift on the finish.

The 2018 Beaumont suffered mildew and then drought, and yields were consequently reduced to 33hl/ha. It was showing a lot of oak on the nose when I tasted it, perhaps dominating the fruit too much at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that create a smooth texture. This is matured in around 30% new oak; I wonder if less might have been better. I would like to see more of the wine once in bottle.