Gazin 2018 (1.5L)

94-96 JD / 93-96 WS / 94-95 JS / 91-94 VM / 91-93 WA / 92 DE

A rock star in the making, the 2018 Château Gazin is made from 93 %Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. Rich, powerful, and medium to full-bodied, it has s serious feel in its structure and tannin as well as awesome notes of candied cherries, cassis, chocolate, and crushed rocks. With beautiful purity, it builds beautifully on the palate and has both richness and elegance. It’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 20+ years. - Jeb Dunnuck

Dark plum and blackberry reduction flavors pick up light ganache and licorice snap notes along the way. Has the vintage's grip on the back end, giving this a serious feel. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

This is very tight and polished with a compact and beautiful palate of blackberries, currants and black olives. Full-bodied yet structurally solid with a very long finish. - James Suckling

The 2018 Gazin was impressive all three times I tasted it. Powerful and vibrant, with terrific persistence, the 2018 has more than enough supporting structure to balance the natural richness of the year. Grilled herbs, scorched earth, iron, licorice, mint and dried flowers give the red/purplish toned fruit a decidedly savory dimension that is hugely attractive. Some samples showed quite a bit of tannin, but the wine has more than enough breadth to develop beautifully during élevage and beyond. Tasted three times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Gazin (composed of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc) has quite an earthy/broody nose to begin, with subtle black soil, tar and chargrill notes giving way to a core of prunes, baked blueberries and sautéed herbs. Full, muscular and chewy in the mouth, it has loads of earthy layers and a dried herbs lift on the finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

This is a little less densely knitted than Gazin in some vintages, perhaps because there is no Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, but it has clear blueberry fruits, with black chocolate and graphite edges. There’s plenty of personality and grip and the Gazin tannins flex their muscles at the close of play – it’s good, but for me the 2016 is a more classic example of the estate. 50% new oak was used. 3.67pH. - Jane Anson, Decanter