2018 La Bridane

The 2018 Château La Bridane has a lively, pretty if simple bouquet of crushed strawberry and raspberry fruit, light rose petal aromas and mint. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic red fruit but well-judged acidity. It is a Saint-Julien that stays within its limits, which actually engenders an elegant and more-ish wine. An easygoing but assiduously crafted 2018 that will give pleasure over the next decade.

A terrific wine, the 2018 Château La Bridane has lots of spiced red and black fruits, cedarwood, and dried herb notes to go with a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, elegant, layered style on the palate. With ripe yet firm tannins, good mid-palate depth, and the purity of fruit that's the hallmark of the vintage, it should benefit from 2-4 years in the cellar and keep for a good 10-15 years in cold cellars.

Full bottle 1,253 g.  15 ha high on the gravel bank of St-Julien. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot. Average age 30 years. Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale. Very dark like black-cherry skins with narrow purplish rim. Ripe but fresh and also savoury dark fruit. Smells rocky and not sweet. Firm tannins but much finer in texture than many 2018s in this selection, so that the fruit is quite juicy on the finish. This is well balanced in a difficult vintage, with just enough freshness to make a complete whole. (JH)