Château Rahoul Graves, 2018

Château Rahoul (member of the distinguished Union des Grands Crus) has always been renowned for its
white wine, which is made predominantly from Semillon. Château Rahoul white ranks among the best in the appellation. With its fine balance between aromatic complexity, freshness and amplitude in the mouth, it elegantly withstands several years of ageing. The red is known for its finesse and elegance. The meticulous work carried out in the vineyard makes it possible to produce very seductive red wines, which garner praise for their accessibility and great value for money.
Alain Thiénot acquired Château Rahoul in 1986, with the aim of maintaining its position as one of the greatest Cru wines in Graves.

Grape

60% Merlot – 38% Cabernet Sauvignon  – 2% Petit Verdot

Vineyard & Vinification Note

HVE3 and Terra Vitis certified (High environmental value certificates)

Vineyard surface: 40 Ha (5 Ha of which are white)

Soils: Gravely-sand and gravely-clay.

Harvest: According to the type of grape and soils. Sorting by hand on tables

Vinification: Temperature controlled stainless-steel vats. Malolactic fermentation partially in barrels.

Ageing: In oak barrels (20% of which are new) on fine lees.

Tasting Note

Lovely, deep ruby-red. Delicate on the bouquet and intensely fruity and fresh, with a subtle hint of smoke. Initially rounded on the palate, the wine is full-bodied and fleshy, underpinned by lovely tannins and well-integrated oak. This very accomplished Château Rahoul 2018 culminates in a long, savoury finish. Frédéric Bonnaffous, Dourthe Estates Director

James Suckling Tasting Note

Aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, oyster shell, dried mushroom and iodine. It’s medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Flavorful with a savory, saline finish. Try from 2023. 91 Points, January 2021

Jeb Dunnuck

Pretty cherry, mulberry, and blackberry fruits as well as tobacco, spice, and chocolate emerge from the 2018 Château Rahoul. Medium-bodied, it has a rounded, nicely textured mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and solid length on the finish. Well-done and with loads of character, it should keep for 10-12 years or more. 91 Points, March 2021

Wine Advocate Tasting Note

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Rahoul bursts from the glass with vibrant kirsch, black raspberries and ripe black plums scents, leading to suggestions of redcurrants, wild sage, clove oil and damp soil. Medium-bodied, soft and wonderfully juicy in the mouth, it has bags of freshness and a lively lift on the finish. 89 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, March 2021

Food Pairing

Perfect match with grilled or roasted meat, stuffed poultry, cheese, mushrooms fricassee.