Deep limestone/clay soil with 4.36ha owned by Bouchard, half of which faces south, half facing north. 2018 was a different vintage to 2019 with a very wet winter followed by a hot summer, leading to rapid growth and the need for strict green harvesting. Gentle punching-down to extract slowly and gently. Darker hue in the glass, ripe fruit evident on both the nose and palate. Soft, easy, generous in texture with very fine tannins and lower acidity than with the 2019.

A gamy rustic nose is present with the austerity of iodine atop red fruit and roses. Initially soft tannins reveal themselves to be rougher with time. With such power, development with bottle aging until 2028 will help soften the austere expression and encourage better integration. — Anna-Christina Cabrales