Château Guillou 2018 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the 2016 Château Guillou when it came through VINTAGES in spring of last year, and for tonight's red wine review I bring you the latest vintage that arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the November 19th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Famille Saby, a winegrowing family that are considered specialists on wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The Saby family have been oenologists from father to son for nine generations dating back to the 18th century and are led today by Jean-Bernard Saby and his two sons, Jean-Christophe and Jean-Philippe. The Saby family owns and operates several estates on the Right Bank, including the Château Guillou vineyard which has existed in its current form since 1870. There are 62 hectares of vines at Château Guillou and most are located on a plateau with clay-limestone soils, and hillsides with clayey-silty soils.

I first tasted this wine seven years ago, starting with the 2012 vintage and the quality has improved with each passing vintage. Like the 2012, this vintage is also crafted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from fruit grown at Château Guillou in the Montagne-Saint-Emilion appellation, which is situated in the Libourne subregion on the right bank of the Dordogne, on siliceous soils which are sandy and gravelly. The fruit was traditionally hand-picked and sorted on tables, followed by cold-maceration, temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation, and malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in a combination of new and third-use American and French oak barrels.

From an excellent 2018 growing season in Bordeaux with dry conditions and cool nights, let's see how this 2018 red wine from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU GUILLOU 2018 - AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (#140483) (XD) - $24.95
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has a fragrant, elegant, and well-balanced nose that is highly aromatic with lovely dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, and currant with touches of floral violet, chocolate, herbs, and subtle spices. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe palate with delicious dark berry, currant, black cherry, and blackberry replays joined by plummy notes. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the smooth, refined tannins have a slightly chalky textured mouthfeel towards the back palate. Finishes juicy, long and savoury with stony mineral and subtle oak spice notes on the long aftertaste. Really nicely balanced. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Famille Saby can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.