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! — 3 days ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Plum and gentle rounded fruit with hints of mocha. In great shape. Supple and vivid still with lots of secondary notes. Very good
— a month ago

with Matt and Paul

Conrad Green

9.4

Dynamic and punchy with great fruit still. Quite four square compared to the more silky 75’s alongside with plum, violets and supple fruit. At the edges the fruit showing a touch of fatigue and a slight dryness in the long finish. Not as supple and elegant as the PÈtrus but vibrant and memorable. — a month ago

with Matt and Paul

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still youthful showing black fruits, earth, sweet spice, graphite, leather & tobacco — 8 days ago

Andrew Shaheen

9.3

Young but beautiful. Opened up nicely over 2 hours — 2 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Sergio m y victor a — 19 days ago

Conrad Green

9.2

dedicate. Roses, dried plum, soft resolved fruit. Fading slightly but very pretty. — a month ago

with Matt and Paul

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! — 12 days ago

Rob Brobst III

9.4

@Paul T HB A wine with lovely depth of fruit and ripeness, yet always refined and integrated with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and a long and satisfying finish. It needs another 5 years. I decanted for an hour. 🤷🏽‍♂️✌🏼🍷😊 — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.7

gorgeous plum and violet. Black cherry and gorgeous velvet texture. Really classy and rounded and long — a month ago

with Matt and Paul