Château Cissac, Haut Médoc, 2018

When we first sampled the magnificent 2018, we were struck by its impressive concentration, decadent core of fruit and modern, silky tannins. Esteemed critics are equally effusive, describing it as: “excellent” and “impressive”.

Set back from the Gironde on gravel croupes, Cissac overlooks the communes of Pauillac and St Estephe. This exceptional terroir shares much in common with its more illustrious neighbours, providing the perfect environment for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The longstanding owners, the Vialard family, along with their talented winemaker Laurent Saint Pasteur constantly strive for improvement. Those who tasted older vintages will attest to the quality of their wines, although they did usually require a few years in bottle to find harmony. Recent vintages capture a more vivid fruit profile coupled with structural refinement one wouldn’t normally associate with an Haut Medoc. The result is particularly striking in 2018. This is a wine built around a core of fragrant cassis, blackberry and plum, encased in polished, supple tannins, which can be enjoyed now for its lavish fruit and silky texture, or can be left alone to develop for a decade or more.