Chateau de Pressac 2018

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem rubinrotem Rand. Konzentriertes blaubeeriges Bouquet mit zarten Fliedernoten untermalt, dahinter Brasiltabak, Schokopralinen und dunkles Edelholz. Am delikaten Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, kakaoartigem Tannin, herrlicher Extraktsüße und perfekt stützender Rasse. Im gebündelten Finale verschlankt sich dieser St.-Émilion und endet in einem langen Finale mit Brombeeren, Lakritze und erhabener Adstringenz. Kann einen halben Punkt zulegen und gehört zu den Best Buys der Appellation!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2018 Château De Pressac showed beautifully, with a rich, medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant style that carries lots of darker berry fruits as well as chocolate, earth, bouquet garni, and tobacco. I love its texture, the purity of fruit is spot on, it has integrated tannins, and a great finish. I suspect this will go down as one of the all-time greats from this estate. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. The blend is 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, all brought up in 50% new French oak."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Floral and spicy, with a dash of spearmint, licorice, black cherries and smoke on the nose. The wine is elegant, fresh, medium/full-bodied, soft and silky, with an inviting finish of sweet, ripe, plums, cherry and black raspberry. One of the few Bordeaux wines using all five allowable grape varieties, blending 74% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carmenere and 1% Malbec."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 de Pressac prances out of the glass with cheery scents of Morello cherries, black raspberries and plum preserves, plus suggestions of chocolate mint, licorice and unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers loads of energetic black, blue and red fruit layers, framed by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. It's approachable now yet has the stuffing to cellar for 15 years or more. This is an interesting five-variety blend of 71% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Carménère and 2% Malbec."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Dried currants, blueberries, lavender, walnuts and sweet tobacco on the nose. It’s medium-to-full bodied with firm, silky tannins. Crushed stone, too. Elegant and flavorful. Try from 2024."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Karmingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Ockerrandaufhellung. Würzig-kräutrig unterlegte schwarze Beerenfrucht, zart nach Lakritze, Brombeerkonfit, tabakig-mineralische Nuancen. Saftig, elegant, frisch strukturiert, dezente Feigensüße, reife, integrierte Tannine, ein balancierter Speisenbegleiter mit Entwicklungspotenzial. (2020–2050)"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "In this dark, dense wine, tannins give dryness as well as great structure to the black fruits. But everything is still tight and closed up, demanding long-term attention. With its richness and potential, this full-bodied wine will be best from 2024. "

DECANTER: "A good vintage for Pressac, in a cooler corner of St-Emilion that has held its own in this hot vintage. Some lovely dried rosemary and sage herbs, along with white pepper, raspberry and black cherry fruits, set against well-brushed tannins. 2% Malbec and 1% Carmenère complete the blend, with ageing in 50% new oak."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This red packs in some solid plum and blackberry preserve flavors, as well as a graphite edge for spine and really solid dark tobacco and anise notes buried through the finish, where smoldering herb and warm earth hints add a nice touch. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Malbec. Drink now through 2028. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 8,500 cases made, 400 cases imported. — JM"