Château Picque Caillou - Pessac-Léognan rouge 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Picque-Caillou is one of the last estates located in the heart of the Bordeaux metropolitan area: 21 hectares of beautiful stony soil, as its name suggests. In 2006, Paulin Calvet took the reins of this family-owned vineyard. Drawing on his experience at Moueix, he set out to restore the reputation of this beautiful vineyard, supported in this endeavor by the late Denis Dubourdieu and now by his team. It’s fair to say that over the past few vintages he has succeeded, as the wines continue to improve. Here, the focus is on elegance, pure fruit, expression of the terroir, and balance. The estate deserves a second star.

Decanter

About wine:

This wine displays excellent oak finesse on the nose and offers notes of apricot on the palate, along with a distinct sweetness that is never overpowering. It is extremely concentrated and clearly superior to the Picque Caillou white in this vintage. 34% new oak. Owned by Pauline Calvet. Valérie Lavigne serves as 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 managed since 2007 by Paulin Calvet, a member of the renowned Calvet family of wine merchants, who have owned the estate since 1947. Covering 22 hectares, it is one of the last remaining vineyards in Mérignac. The estate is managed in accordance with an environmental management system.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

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

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

This well-structured wine offers both richness and tension. The blackcurrant fruit 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. Best enjoyed starting in 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.