Château Puy-Blanquet Château Puy-Blanquet

Saint-Émilion, France

Vintage:2018 (Current)

2011 (Past) | 2012 (Past) | 2014 (Past) | 2015 (Past) | 2016 (Current) | 2017 (Current) |

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Château Puy-Blanquet  Château Puy-Blanquet  2018
  • JD 92-94
  • JS 92-93
  • V 90-93
  • D 90
  • JR 16.5/20

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck

92-94 Points

May 1, 2019, Jeb Dunnuck

“Deeply colored, the 2018 Château Puy-Blanquet checks in as 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from a 20-hectare parcel of clay and limestone soils. Beautifully ripe and sexy, with a massive bouquet of blackcurrants, macerated black cherries, and smoked earth, it's full-bodied, opulent, and layered on the palate, with serious fruit. This brilliant wine will be approachable in its youth yet also evolve gracefully for 15 years or more. It should also be an incredible value.”

JancisRobinson.com

16.5/20 Points

April 4, 2019, Julia Harding MW

“Deepest crimson. Ripe, tangy and sweet like fresh mulberries on the nose. Rich, velvety texture, so smooth and caressing. Deep-fruited and generous, with a bite of freshness to keep it in shape.”

Decanter

90 Points

April 2019, Jane Anson

“This is the most beautifully ripe plum colour, with soft violet reflections and floral touches on the nose. Pretty strong tannins steal up through the firm, full-bodied palate, which is loaded with acidity and fruit, completing the the triumvirate. This should see slow but steady ageing.”

Vinous Media

90-93 Points

April 2019, Antonio Galloni

“The 2018 Puy-Blanquet is a rich, creamy and sensual wine with tremendous near and medium term appeal. In 2018, Puy-Blanquet is especially lush, almost shockingly so, for a Saint-Émilion that is usually quite classic in feel. Inky red and purplish berry fruit, spice, rose petal and mint build as this silky, pliant Saint-Émilion shows off its racy, inviting personality. Don't miss it.”

JamesSuckling.com

92-93 Points

March 27, 2019, James Suckling

“A red with lots of richness and density and flavor. Full body, plenty of round tannins and a long and flavorful finish.”

Overview

Overlooking the Dordogne valley in the heart of Saint-Etienne de Lisse, Château Puy-Blanquet has northern and eastern blocks that enjoy the morning sunshine. There are 49.42 acres of planted vines on soils of clay and chalk.

Château Puy-Blanquet was known as one of the best Saint-Émilion Grand Crus as early as the 19th century, and was awarded a part of the collective gold medal bestowed upon a selection of Saint-Émilion chateaux at the Paris Exposition of 1889.

Today, the vineyard is owned by the Jacquet family and managed by Pierre Meunier, who was trained by Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix.

Winemaking

A respect for tradition and quality is what makes Puy-Blanquet special. Instead of following the trend, vineyard manager Pierre Meunier has continued plowing the soils to ensure optimal maturity of the fruit. Green harvesting, leaf cropping and harvesting are done by hand.

Tasting Notes

The wines are fresh and generous and can be enjoyed after just a two or three years of cellaring.

Harvest Notes

Winter and spring were very rainy. A late budbreak allowed most to avoid a spring frost. The flowering went well and the potential quality was significant.
The rainy spring caused a severe attack of mildew, which was thwarted thanks to constant vigilance in the vineyard. The summer was hot, dry and sunny. Véraison took place from July 26th to August 12th. The main characteristic of this vintage was the 1,136 hours of sunshine between June and September, a notable record of the past fifty years. 

Technical Information

Varietals: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Average Vine Age: 25 years

Aging: 12 months partly in oak barrels (10% new)