At a glance

Producer

Château Plince

Region

Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Merlot dominant blend (typically ~75-80% Merlot, 15-20% Cabernet Franc, small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

USD $45-65

Tasting profile

Ripe plum, cherry, blackcurrant, subtle spice, earth, and graphite; medium-full body, youthful structure.

Evolution: Will gain more truffle, forest floor, cedar, and dried fruit notes by 2026-2030.

At peak: At peak: layered red and black fruits, refined tannins, integrated oak, plush and velvety on the finish with Pomerol's characteristic finesse.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

Medium to medium-plus; fine-grained, present but rounding out

Alcohol

13.5%-14% ABV (typical for this vintage and appellation)

Aging potential

Medium-high for Pomerol; best within 10-15 years but can age up to 20

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2050

Optimal window

2025 to 2053

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Still youthful but approachable; moderate tannins integrating; fresh fruit with early complexity emerging.

2018 is a strong vintage with good ripeness and structure in Pomerol. The wine is showing early charm but has the balance to improve over the next 6-10 years. Classic evolution for Right Bank Merlot blends.

Food pairing

Grilled/roasted lamb, duck breast, mushroom risotto, beef Bourguignon, earthy vegetarian dishes, mature cheeses.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Helps soften tannins and open bouquet; beneficial due to wine's youthful vigor.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Château Plince employs conventional vineyard management typical of family estates in Pomerol, with some mechanical and some handwork. No explicit information about solar energy, water recycling, or lighter packaging. Efforts include reduced pesticide usage and traditional viticulture.

Château Plince, like most small traditional Pomerol estates, does not pursue formal sustainability or environmental certification. While chemical inputs have reportedly been reduced and vineyard practices are careful, these are not benchmarked by third parties. Energy, water, and packaging choices are standard for Bordeaux, and the carbon footprint remains medium-high for overseas consumers due to trans-oceanic shipping. The estate is family-run with careful land stewardship, but cannot be considered a sustainability leader in Bordeaux context (especially compared to HVE level 3 or certified organic neighbors).