Château Boyd-Cantenac 2018

Very restrained, notes of red currants; densely built; polished tannins, distinctive minerality that stands out this year; has character and typicity.

Smoky, rich oak notes alongside raspberry and blackberry, tar and grilled rosemary. Successful, and classic to the estate’s style. 6% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend.

Earth and forest aromatics coincide with a medium body, a soft palate, and a finish of tobacco leaf, herbs, and red fruits. 89-91 pts

Deep ruby-garnet, purple glints, faintly lighter at the rim. Fine toasty aromas, soft notions of caramel and cassis, as well as a pleasant liquorice nuance. Attractive bouquet. Medium-bodied, red cherries, taut, integrated tannins, mineral, followed by a fine savoury finish. Will benefit from bottle ageing. (2025-2040)

Kunz barrel sample 19: peppery, herbal bouquet, red cherries, blackcurrant canes, chalk. Slender, firm palate with sandy tannins, angular structure, light, sweet fruit, light finish.

The 2018 Boyd-Cantenac has a deep garnet-purple color. The nose opens with scents of leather and Band-Aid, giving way to a core of baked plums, warm cassis, and grilled meats, with a touch of tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has chewy tannins and a lively backbone before turning a little hollow and short on fruit.

Beautiful style, powerful and energetic, tannin still a bit aggressive.

While the substance and body of the wine are remarkable, with a very beautiful silkiness, we are more circumspect about the oak, which aromatically dominates the whole. Time will integrate it all, but patience will be required.

The nose opens with notes of nutmeg, red berries, and menthol. The palate is still austere, tightened by slightly dry tannins that could soften with the patina of time.

Boyd-Cantenac clearly highlights its élevage while leaving enough room for the fruit expression to unfold. Nuances of mocha and black berries. On the palate, the wine mirrors its aromatic profile. Its tannins are slightly suave, well integrated, tight, and aligned with the acidic structure. A wine of character that reveals itself slowly and shows very fine prospects.

Logo on the cork: A inside a circle (Amorim)

Peppery, herbal bouquet, red cherries, blackcurrant canes, chalk. Slim, firm palate with sandy tannins, angular structure, light, sweet fruit, light finish. 16/20 2024 - 2035