2018
Vintage Quality: Excellent (Legendary)
Current Status: To be aged
The 2018 Bordeaux vintage was excellent, perhaps even legendary, despite challenging early weather conditions. The winter was wet, and conditions remained wet until spring, leading to mildew outbreaks. Organic and biodynamic vineyards, in particular, suffered losses due to restrictions on spraying and pesticides. Some damage was also caused by hail.
Conditions improved in the summer, allowing for successful flowering, and a hot, dry summer followed. August droughts affected young vines, but September rains helped revive the grapes. The harvest took place in ideal weather, with the option of carefully selecting ripe grapes. Some producers had lower yields due to problems with rot and hail.
The wines were intense, rich, with high alcohol content, yet maintained fresh acidity. The 2018 vintage produced several exceptional wines, some of which may later become legendary. Not all appellations were successful, but successes were mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Excellent wines also came from Médoc, Margaux, St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien, Pessac-Léognan, and Pomerol. Red wines slightly outnumbered whites, and it is unfortunate that organic and biodynamic vineyards suffered the most.
"This lively wine is full of blackberry flavours. Although the wood ripening stands out strongly at this stage, it gives way to...
The aroma is fruity, fresh, well balanced and offers little intensity. It reveals notes of violet, lily and...
"Medium-bodied, fruity, easy to drink and already quite charming. The fruit is ripe, sweet and delicious....
G de Guiraud 2018 is an elegant dry white wine, composed mainly of Sauvignon Blanc and...
"A ripe, round, medium-bodied and fruity wine, with rich, juicy plums, chocolate, liquorice...
The aroma is dominated by oak, leather, tobacco and black fruits. The wine has ripe tannins and a touch of acidity,...
"The wine is lush, voluptuous, rich and silky with layers of dark plums along with chocolate, licorice...
"A medium-bodied wine that is full of sweet, ripe, juicy cherry, espresso, licorice and...
The character of the 2018 vintage has played into the hands of some wines from the Haut Médoc/Médoc appellation to an extraordinary degree...
A true connoisseur's assessment of the wine: 'Medium-bodied, suitable for early drinking, fresh, juicy, with...
"Flowers, cinnamon and plums form the core of the wine. On the palate, the wine is smooth, soft and fresh with sweetness...
"The structured Cabernet Sauvignon in this mature wine provides attractive flavors of black currant and...
