The 2018 Gazin Bordeaux Blend is a distinguished red wine from the Pomerol sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine, produced by Gazin, features a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc and is sealed with a cork closure. It boasts an alcohol content of 14.5%.
James Suckling awarded the 2018 Gazin a commendable score of 95, praising its "rich aromas of blueberries, ripe black cherries, chocolate, and sandalwood." He described it as "full-bodied with firm, well-integrated and rounded tannins," highlighting its "solid depth of fruit" and "creamy and polished" texture. Suckling recommends enjoying this wine after 2024.
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss also gave the wine a 95, noting its elegance and rich, lush Merlot fruit flavors. He remarked that the wine has a "sense of restraint, self-contained and already delicious" qualities. Voss anticipates that the ripe berry flavors will develop opulent fruit and structure over time, suggesting it will be best enjoyed from 2026.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, rated the wine at 93+ points. She described its deep garnet-purple color and vibrant notes of "warm plums, black raspberries, and kirsch," alongside hints of "wild mushrooms, fragrant earth, Sichuan pepper, and tree bark." Perrotti-Brown highlighted the wine's "impressive energy" and "approachable, rounded tannins," which frame the "crunchy red and black fruits," ending with a long, earthy finish.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also gave the wine a score of 95, emphasizing its rich flavors of "plums, truffle, chocolate-covered cherries, and licorice." He noted its "rich, silky, plush, and concentrated" nature, with layers of "suave cherries and plums." Leve suggested that the wine is excellent now but will improve significantly with 7-8 years of aging.
Decanter rated the wine at 92, commenting on its clear "blueberry fruits, with black chocolate and graphite edges." The review noted the wine's "personality and grip" and mentioned that it is slightly less densely knitted than other vintages, possibly due to the absence of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.
Jeb Dunnuck gave the highest score of 97, describing the wine as "deep purple, inky-hued" with a "brilliant nose of blueberries, candied cherries, wildflowers, tobacco, chocolate, and spice." He praised its "full-bodied richness, layered, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and great finish," recommending 4-6 years of bottle age for optimal enjoyment and predicting two decades of longevity.
Wine Spectator provided a range score of 93-96, highlighting "dark plum and blackberry reduction flavors" with "light ganache and licorice snap notes." The review noted the wine's grip on the back end, giving it a serious feel and suggesting it is ready to drink now.
In conclusion, the 2018 Gazin Bordeaux Blend is a well-regarded wine with excellent reviews, showcasing rich fruit flavors, a polished texture, and promising aging potential.