2018 Chateau Charmail Haut-Médoc

The cru bourgeois, Château Charmail is located in the immediate vicinity of the wide river Gironde in the Haut-Médoc. The vineyards are close to Saint-Estèphe, about two kilometers from the largest estuary in Europe, resulting in a temperate microclimate. This results in optimal ripening of the cabernet and merlot grapes. Winemaker Olivier Sèze works classically and with respect for the Médoc tradition. For example, he picks the grapes by hand and does not filter and clarify the wine. Charmail is a beautiful, refined style Bordeaux that has been aged for 14 months in French oak barrels.

The 2018 Charmail comes from Charmail in Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne. The blend is 39% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot. The wine is aged for 12 months in 30% new oak barrels and others in 2nd year oak. Deep Bordeaux red and an almost inky black wine. Rich in dark and black fruits such as cherry, raspberry and blackberry. Classic expression with ripe Cabernet tones and a sober, high-quality wood influence (cedar). Ripe, fused attack. Very soft, but serious and also full, somewhat fleshy structure with full ripe tannins with subtle wood tones. The 2018 was an absolute top year for Chateau Charmail which also resulted in high marks from Parker and Sucking. Suckling ends his verdict with: "One of the best from here"