- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2018 Chateau Gazin Pomerol, France
2018 marked the 100th vintage for our family in Pomerol. The harvest took place between the 10th of September and the 8th of October. With successive pickings depending on the ripeness of the grapes. 63,000 bottles of the first wine were produced alongside 22,000 bottles of Hospitalet de Gazin, the Estate's second wine.
The summer heat ensured perfectly ripe grapes for both wines, while spring showers, combined with the blue clay subsoil of the Pomerol plateau, protected against drought. Major mildew attacks in early June were perfectly controlled, enabling 34hl per hectare to be harvested out of the 21.28 hectares currently in production. The 2018 vintage contains an alcoholic degree of 14.5 alongside a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for 18 months, following malolactic fermentation in barrels, using 50% new barrels and 50% barrels used from one previous vintage Meanwhile, Hospitalet de Gazin has an alcoholic degree of 14 and a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2018 vintage is undeniably one of the greatest produced from our Estate in the past 30 years. In terms of finesse it outweighs the very good 2016. This wine is incredibly fresh, with a long aftertaste thanks to its smooth texture and aromatic complexity. For now, subtle aromas of red and black fruit (morello and blackcurrant ) and flower fragrances characterize it. After ageing for several years, classic Pomerol notes shall come to the fore subtly: truffle, undergrowth, game. At the same time, the very concentrated and silky tannins perfectly balance the alcohol level which does not dominate the discreet and well-integrated oaky overtones. This wine should reach its peak in ten years or so.
The 2018 vintage was bottled in June 2020 as Chateau Gazin received the HVE level 3 certification (High Environmental Value).