chateau bourgneuf pomerol 2018 750ml

Overview:
Owned by the Vayron family since 1821, this lovely vineyard is situated in the heart of Pomerol's most prestigious terroirs, with Chateau Trotanoy as its neighbor. Since 2008, the wine is made by the youngest Vayron to join the family venture, Frédérique, the daughter of current owners Xavier and Dominique.

Formed by a gentle, sloping plot, the west-facing vineyard enjoys ideal sun exposure, thanks to which some of its parcels were spared from the great frost of 1956.

Situated in one of the warmest parts of Pomerol, Chateau Bourgneuf produces wines that are deep and dense, layered and complex, with perfectly rounded tannins. The wine's ripe fruit aromas make it seductive when young, but a few years of cellaring are strongly rewarded.

Winemaking:
The merlot and cabernet franc vines, of an average age of 40 years, are planted on gravelly clay enhanced by an iron-rich subsoil. The vineyard is maintained traditionally and conscientiously throughout the year. Vinification takes place in thermo-regulated concrete tanks, and aging is carried out in oak barrels (35% new) for 12-14 months.

Tasting Notes:
Nose of ripe red fruit with slightly toasted evident oak. Very concentrated, powerful, warm palate marked by oak tannins.Harvest Notes:
Winter and spring were very rainy. A late budbreak allowed us to avoid a spring frost. The rainy spring caused a severe attack of mildew that required constant vigilance in the vineyard for many properties throughout the growing season. Summer was dry and sunny: the main characteristic of this vintage was the 1,136 hours of sunshine between June and September, a notable record of the past fifty years.

Critical Acclaim:
96 points - Wine Spectator
"The deliciously ripe and juicy red currant, plum and raspberry fruit is well-knit, revealing hints of tobacco, singed chestnut and cast iron in the background. Shows lots of range and drive, with serious grip on the finish."

95 points - James Suckling
"This is a powerful Pomerol with dense, layered tannins that coat the mouth and show so much intensity and richness. It's full-bodied and chewy. A wine that's structured for the long term. Drink after 2025."

93 points - Jeb Dunnuck
"Coming from the team of Christian Moueix and a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Chateau Bourgneuf is a seamless, elegant Pomerol that still brings plenty of muscle, offering loads of ripe black cherry and cassis fruits as well as spicy oak, medium to full-bodied richness, lots of tobacco, truffle, and chocolaty nuances, silky tannins, and a great finish. This is another Pomerol that delivers the goods in 2018. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 15-20 years."

93 points - Decanter
"Delivering a ton of Pomerol signature, this is a really enjoyable, solid wine that has easy pleasure and lots of layers. Sweet black cherry fruit and a nice freshness through the finish, with touches of crushed mint. This is a lovely wine. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040"

92 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Bourgneuf has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and fragrant notes of lavender, kirsch, black truffles and cinnamon toast over a core of blackberry pie and Black Forest cake with a waft of woodsmoke. The intense, medium to full-bodied palate packs in the black fruit layers, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and savory."

92 points - Vinous
"The 2018 Bourgneuf retains the charming bouquet that I observed in barrel, offering well-defined blackberry and crushed strawberry fruit, forest floor scents percolating up with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin's, lithe and supple in the mouth. A touch of white pepper emerges toward the elegant finish. This is a delightful Pomerol, not long-term, but you will definitely finish a bottle. Drinking window: 2023 - 2036"

750ml Bottle