"The 2018 Belle Cousine is an elegant blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot from the Hyde Vineyard. It was matured in about 20% new French oak for 22 months and aged an additional two years in bottle before release. Deep ruby-purple in color, it has pure aromas of cassis, bouquet garni, tobacco leaves, sandalwood and graphite, with bright bursts of red cherry and flowers. Full-bodied, the palate is surprisingly lifted, with granular tannins, seamless acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Winemaker Guillaume Boudet notes that Hyde de Villaine does not own an optical sorter. "To me, the optical sorter erases the vintage component of the wine," he explains. "It’s a human being that calibrates the sorter with what they think is the perfect berry of this vintage." Give this fresh, floral blend another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind."

94 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate