2018 Puygueraud
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Tasting notes
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Puygueraud (85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec) sings of kirsch, redcurrant jelly and blackberry preserves with hints of baked plums, black truffles and tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers bags of energetic red and black berry layers, supported by plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and lifted.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Puygueraud is attractive and pure on the nose, though not as intense as I anticipated, offering black cherries, black currant pastilles and light baking powder scents. The palate is medium-bodied with a granular texture and a fine line of acidity that cuts through the blackberry and bilberry fruit. It pulls up just a little short on the finish, but otherwise I appreciate its harmony and easygoing nature. Drink over the next 6–8 years.
Coming from the talented Thienpont team, the 2018 Château Puygueraud is a juicy, up-front, undeniably delicious 2018 offering lots of perfumed, floral, and violet notes, sumptuous blue fruits, medium-bodied richness, and a juicy, balanced, lengthy style that keeps you coming back to the glass. The balance is spot on, as is the purity of fruit, and it's ideal for enjoying any time over the coming decade. The blend is 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec.
About the producer
The Thienpont family bought Ch. Puygueraud in 1946, running it as a farm until the 1980s when Nicolas Thienpont moved the focus to viticulture, with the first vintage in 1983. Based in the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, the property comprises 47 hectares of vines, both red and white.