The 2018 Guillot Clauzel is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc with a pH of 3.65 and 14.4% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with expressive red and black berry preserves, Black Forest cake and garrigue with hints of tobacco, fragrant soil, cloves and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is beautifully structured with ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness lifting the dense, earthy layers to a long, refreshing finish. Nicely done!

Guillot Clauzel is one of the most intriguing Pomerols I tasted this year. Guillaume Thienpont has recently taken over the farming and winemaking at this small domaine. In 2018, Thienpont vinified seven lots from the 2.4-hectare property. The 2018 is soft, pliant and wonderfully inviting. Blueberry fruit, sage, mint and lavender are all nicely lifted. Fresh, silky and open-knit, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate. This is certainly an auspicious debut for Guillot Clauzel under the stewardship of Guillaume Thienpont. It will be interesting to see if Thienpont can coax a little more complexity from this site in the coming years. For now, the 2018 is certainly an impressive start. The blend is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.