Château Picque Caillou 2018

Direct, with solid raspberry and black currant fruit framed with a light tarry edge before carrying through a tobacco- and bay-accented finish. Modest in scale but good underlying energy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2026. 5,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

Plum and blueberry fruit, fresh acidity, tannins just a little abrupt on the finish, but overall a cheerful and bright wine from a reliable name.

Very attractive aromas of blackberries, mushrooms, stone and bark. It’s medium- to full-bodied with nicely integrated tannins and a juicy, flavorful finish. Shows finesse and suppleness for a 2018. Needs three or four years to open. Best after 2024.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot. Organic. Deep greyish crimson. Cassis with a touch of mint on the nose and a nice dusty quality. Juicy, relatively simple, but lots of sweet dark-red fruit and a fresh, juicy finish. The tannins are relatively light for this vintage and very nicely balanced with the fruit. (JH)

Smoky, round and forward, this easy wine offers tobacco, red berry, espresso and a soft, lush profile. This should be delicious on release. 88-90 Pts

Dark ruby, with purple reflections, and a subtle bright rim. A delicate chocolaty underlay, black berry confit, with a hint of clove, candied orange zest, and some vanilla. Juicy, elegant, ripe plum fruit, integrated tannins, with nougat on the finish; it is a versatile wine at the table.

Deep purple-garnet. What a bouquet of ripe wild berries, with blackberry jelly and elderberry essence in the background. On the powerful palate, a silky texture, supported by ripe tannins and good drive. In the focused finish, brilliant dark-berry fruit intensity paired with refined minerality and Brazilian tobacco, on the same level as last year and therefore a safe buy recommendation!

Kunz barrel sample 19: (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 41 hl/ha) Velvety, dense, dark, powerful bouquet with plums, licorice, dried fruits, smoke, noble woods, and fine roasted notes. Dense, powerful, elegant and multi-layered palate with concentrated dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, diverse dark aromatics, and a very long, aromatic finish.

(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 41 hl/ha) Velvety, dense, dark, powerful bouquet; plums, licorice, dried fruit, smoke, noble woods, fine roasted notes. Dense, powerful, elegant, multi-layered palate with concentrated dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, diverse dark aromatics, very long, aromatic finish. 18/20 2025 - 2048

Dark red color of normal intensity. Lovely fruity, pure nose of medium intensity. Caressing on the attack, juicy through the mid-palate and flavorful, the wine stretches out on the finish with a medium body and no tannic edges.

This well-structured wine shows both richness and tension. Black-currant fruitiness is balanced by a mineral texture that gives the wine a taut, structured edge that contrasts with the juicy fruits. This suggests the wine will age well. Drink from 2026.