2018 JCB The Surrealist
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Tasting notes
Composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Surrealist was aged in French oak barrels, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it wafts slowly, sensuously out of the glass with notes of star anise, cumin seed, clove oil and potpourri over a core of blackcurrant cordial, blueberry pie and raspberry coulis. Full-bodied, the palate is coated with decadent black and red berry preserves and loads of spicy sparks, framed by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note. 299 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Gorgeous crème de cassis, crushed violets, lead pencil, graphite, and a liquid rock-like character all emerge from the 2018 Surrealist, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from St. Helena and 15% Petit Verdot from Rutherford. Full-bodied, deep, dense, and brilliantly concentrated, with building tannins and just an incredible mix of power and elegance, this needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 25 to 30 years.
The 2018 Surrealist is a wild, over the top wine, but in all the right ways, if that makes sense. Super-ripe red berry, kirsch, rose petal and sweet spice all race out of the glass. Heady and flamboyant to the core, the 2018 is immensely enjoyable, but readers have to appreciate this style. There is not much subtlety, not much left to the imagination. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot work so well here.