Wine of the Day • 8 January 2021

Chateau Le Crock St Estephe 2018

Chateau Le Crock became a Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2020 and has been owned since 1903 by the Cuvelier Family (proprietor also of St Julien Chateau Moulin Riche and Second Growth Chateau Leoville Poyferre). A neighbour of Chateau Haut-Marbuzet, it is just over 1 km north of Cos d’Estournel. Le Crock’s 32-hectare vineyard is planted to 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit-Verdot. Smoky/toasty ripe capsicum/dark blue black fruit carried by tannins from oak (but not too much) and pips and skin. Good harmony of fruit and freshness. Medium-plus-ish bodied. The Bordeaux trade is presently commercializing the 2018 – a very good – vintage. If you decide to open this now, decant 60 to 90 minutes. Otherwise, Le Crock 2018 will age and evolve effortlessly into 2038.