2018 Bonalgue
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Bonalgue—a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc—rolls effortlessly out of the glass with intense scents of redcurrant jelly, blackberry pie and stewed black plums, plus wafts of mossy tree bark, Sichuan pepper and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black and red berry preserves flavors, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Bonalgue has one of the most backward bouquets that I encountered from the appellation in this vintage from bottle, requiring at least an hour’s aeration to reveal blackberry, loamy and truffle scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Here it picks up, offering lively black fruit and fine mineralité on the finish. This is an excellent Bonalgue, a great success for the estate. Just be patient with the aromatics.
A big, rich, powerful Pomerol, the 2018 Château Bonalgue offers lots of smoky black and blue fruits, notes of violets, cedary pencil, and damp earth, medium-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and solid, chocolaty background oak. It benefits from air, has beautiful purity of fruit, and is going to improve with 3-4 years of bottle age. It should drink well through 2033.
About the producer
Ch. Bonalgue is a Pomerol estate owned by the Bourotte family, which also owns Clos du Clocher.