Château Rouget 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Rouget 2018

Tasting

Color
The Château Rouget 2018 has a deep red color.

Nose
The nose reveals aromas of overripe red fruits, accompanied by notes of mocha, spices and new French oak. Nuances of plum and finely toasted wood complete this aromatic bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, this wine is dense and full-bodied. Its fine tannins need a few years to fully soften, promising a beautiful evolution. The structure is balanced, with a notable acidity comparable to the 2010 and 2016 vintages.

Food and wine pairings

Château Rouget 2018 pairs perfectly with cheeses, French specialties and red meats. It will also elegantly accompany dishes in sauce or slow-cooked in a casserole.

Service and aging

To fully appreciate Château Rouget 2018, decanting is recommended. Serve it at a temperature of 16-18°C. This wine can be kept until around 2035, allowing it to develop all its complexity.

An exceptional Pomerol with fruity and spicy notes

The property

The Château Rouget, located in Pomerol, near Bordeaux, has a rich history dating back to the end of the Roman Empire. Recognized as one of the oldest crus in Pomerol, it was established in 1700 by the Bayonne family. Since 1992, the Labruyère family, under the direction of Edouard Labruyère, has restored the estate's esteem, which extends over 17 hectares, mainly planted with merlot (85%) and cabernet franc (15%). The unique terroir, composed of clays and gravels, gives the wines a remarkable typicity and finesse, making Château Rouget a key player in the region.

The vineyard

The Château Rouget vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir in Pomerol, characterized by gravelly slopes and clay-gravel terraces. This unique soil composition gives the wines their typicity, elegance and characteristic finesse. The vines, averaging 40 years old, are planted at a density of 7500 feet per hectare, allowing for optimal concentration of aromas and structure.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage is characterized by marked contrasts. The spring alternated between rainy and warm periods, with intense struggle against mildew. From July to October, dry conditions allowed for optimal ripening of the grapes. This particular weather gave the wine a notable acidity, comparable to the great 2010 and 2016 vintages, and represents a qualitative progression for the property.

Vinification and aging

Harvested by hand, the grapes undergo rigorous sorting before vinification, 40% in whole harvests and 60% in wooden vats. The aging is carried out in barrels, 30% of which are new wood.

Blend

Merlot, cabernet franc.