Vinous 
The 2018 Haut-Bages Monpelou is plump, juicy and forward, all of which make it an excellent candidate for near and medium-term drinking. This is an especially bold, racy Pauillac built on fruit density and voluptuousness. Inky dark blue fruit, lavender and sweet spice lead into the layered, expressive finish. 

Decanter 
This is a wine located next to Batailley that I regularly tip as value for money and do so again here. It’s not as exuberant as some, a little austere at the moment and lacking the depth that perhaps it had in 2016, but it’s highly enjoyable with plenty of Pauillac markers; slate, cassis and tobacco that will fill out over time. There is a savoury edge to the fruit alongside spice and tannins with a lovely juicy lift on the palate and a menthol freshness on the finish. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. An extremely generous yield of 52hl/ha - the kind that turns some of their neighbours green. Drinking Window 2025 – 2038.