2018 Rahoul
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Tasting notes
Pretty cherry, mulberry, and blackberry fruits as well as tobacco, spice, and chocolate emerge from the 2018 Château Rahoul. Medium-bodied, it has a rounded, nicely textured mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and solid length on the finish. Well-done and with loads of character, it should keep for 10-12 years or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Rahoul is a heady wine, just as was from barrel. Sweet spice, cedar, tobacco and mocha make a strong first impression. Dark and a bit somber, Rahoul has plenty of fruit richness, but also remains light on its feet. Attractive floral ands spice accents add character as this silky Pessac-Léognan shows off its considerable charms. This is such a pretty wine.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Rahoul bursts from the glass with vibrant kirsch, black raspberries and ripe black plums scents, leading to suggestions of redcurrants, wild sage, clove oil and damp soil. Medium-bodied, soft and wonderfully juicy in the mouth, it has bags of freshness and a lively lift on the finish.
77% Sémillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc. Smokily reductive with definite notes of the sulphur-related compounds that come with this style of winemaking, which also gives a stony/mineral quality to the citrus fruit. That first impression gives way to lovely fruit intensity – ripe citrus, sour-fresh finish. Well done in a particular style. (JH)
About the producer
With a long history stretching back to the 17th century, Ch. Rahoul is part of the powerful Dourthe group. Spread over 40 hectares, the property produces both red and white wines.