Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Garraud – Lalande de Pomerol / 2018
AOC Lalande de Pomerol – Right Bank, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
From the Esnée family estate, this red Bordeaux blend is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Garraud vineyards lie just north of Pomerol proper, where gravelly and clay soils echo the region’s reputation for plush yet structured wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Lush black cherry, plum compote, and cassis wrapped in notes of violet, cocoa, and cedar. Subtle graphite and earthy tobacco hints reflect the Cabernet Franc influence.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet polished, with supple tannins and a round mid-palate. Concentrated fruit depth balances with freshness, finishing long and silky with lingering spice.

Food Pairings
Duck breast with cherry glaze, roast lamb, or beef bourguignon. Mushroom risotto, charcuterie, or truffle pasta. Comté, aged Gouda, or Saint-Nectaire.

Verdict
A classic Right Bank profile: generous Merlot fruit framed by Cabernet Franc finesse. Traditional, powerful, and approachable, drinking beautifully now but with the structure to evolve gracefully for another 8–10 years.

Did You Know?
Lalande de Pomerol, though often overshadowed by its famous neighbor Pomerol, offers exceptional value. Many estates here share the same terroir characteristics, producing wines of impressive depth at a fraction of Pomerol’s price tag.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: This bottle delivers Right Bank soul without the Pomerol price, rich yet refined, and an excellent “insider’s pick” for Bordeaux lovers. Cheers! — 10 days ago

Marta Jackowska

9.5

Solid but lacked the wow factor we were expecting for a 2005 vintage. Or, maybe we’ve just become really picky with all the nice wine we’ve been drinking?! 🤔
Nice smooth texture and a strong dark chocolate taste. Really good wine but didn’t blow us away. — 2 days ago

with Neville

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Sergio m y victor a — 25 days ago

Ming L

9.2

A refined bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, and forest floor, accented by hints of violet and cedar. Beautifully proportioned medium-to-full body, offering a supple texture and finely woven tannins. Finely balanced.

This second wine of Gazin has grown since I tasted it 4 years ago but remains youthful. Need to try the grand vin. — a day ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Classy showing dark plum, red & black fruits with graphite, cedar, leather, mocha, earth & tobacco. — 2 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still youthful showing black fruits, earth, sweet spice, graphite, leather & tobacco — 15 days ago

George Chen

9.2

Wow….my impression of this wine front to back compounded me…bright but sharp fruit backbone to an older Pomerol terroir and ruddier …so fun! — 18 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby color with aromas of black berry fruits and earthy spice notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry, slightly floral with notes of cacao, oak and tobacco. Medium+ finish, fine tannins, ending with fruit and earthy mineral character. Nice, tasting well now! — 5 days ago

Jan A

9.8

Petrus 1975... It was a very tannic year apparently. This was still as fresh like a 30 year younger wine! — a day ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Very polished fruit. Great balance. Sophisticated and a little understated. Silky and in place. Very good, but lean in… this wine doesn’t shout — 3 hours ago

with Peter, Gregg and 1 other