Château Picque Caillou - Pessac-Léognan rouge 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Picque-Caillou is one of the last properties located in the heart of the Bordeaux metropolitan area: 21 hectares of beautiful stony terroir, as its name suggests. In 2006, Paulin Calvet took over the reins of this family vineyard. Drawing on his experience at Moueix, he set about restoring the reputation of this beautiful vineyard, supported in this endeavor by the late Denis Dubourdieu and now by Dubourdieu's team. It is fair to say that he has succeeded in recent vintages, as the wines are constantly improving. Here, the emphasis is on elegance, purity of fruit, expression of the terroir, and balance. The estate deserves a second star.

Decanter

About wine:

This wine has an excellent oak finesse on the nose and offers Damascus fruit and an obvious sweetness on the palate, without being overpowering. It is extremely concentrated and clearly more successful than the Picque Caillou white in this vintage. 34% new oak. Owned by Pauline Calvet. Valérie Lavigne is a consultant.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Located in the heart of the Bordeaux metropolitan area, this vineyard, whose name evokes its terroir, has been run since 2007 by Paulin Calvet, from the famous line of wine merchants who have owned the estate since 1947. Covering 22 hectares, it is one of the last vineyards in Mérignac. The property is managed using an environmental management system.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

With an intense garnet-purple color, Picque Caillou 2018 leaps from the glass to express intense notes of blackcurrant syrup, blueberry pie, canned plums, as well as hints of damp earth, truffles, and camphor. Full-bodied, this wine reveals flavors of black fruit that fill the mouth, along with hints of mint and a firm structure that has chewiness. A long, earthy finish.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

This well-structured wine offers both richness and tension. The blackcurrant fruitiness is balanced by a mineral texture that gives the wine a taut, structured quality that contrasts with the juicy fruit. This suggests that the wine will age well. Drink from 2026.

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About wine:

Very appealing aromas of blackberries, mushrooms, stone, and wood bark. The wine is medium-bodied to full-bodied with well-integrated tannins and a juicy, flavorful finish. It shows finesse and suppleness for a 2018 vintage. It needs 3 or 4 years to open up. Best after 2024.