Cherry and plum paste flavors are fresh in feel, with a swath of sweet tobacco coating the finish. Nicely focused throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Some earthy red and black fruits, cured meat, spice, and leafy herb notes emerge from the 2018 Château Paloumey. A nicely textured, medium-bodied, mouth-filling Haut-Médoc that brings lots of dark, up-front fruit, it should keep for 7-8 years.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Paloumey (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc) opens with vague notions of stewed plums and cassis, followed by hints of bay leaves, damp soil and graphite. Medium-bodied, the palate offers straightforward black fruit preserves flavors with a chewy texture and well-balanced freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

The 2018 Paloumey has a light earthy nose that still has not cohered since I tasted it from barrel. The grippy palate is medium-bodied with brittle tannins and a touch of bell pepper toward the finish, but as I remarked previously, it lacks the personality of other vintages.