Wines Bordeaux Château Lafite Monteil - Merlot - 2018

Viniou Reviews

Château Lafite Monteil 2018 is a Bordeaux AOC red wine predominantly crafted from Merlot, offering the finesse and classic structure typical of the appellation’s accessible yet refined cuvées. The 2018 vintage enjoyed favourable weather conditions after a challenging start, resulting in ripe, concentrated fruit and balanced tannins. Merlot, Bordeaux’s most widely planted grape, lends this wine its supple texture, roundness, and vivid notes of plums, black cherries, and hints of chocolate. The terroir—composed mainly of gravel and clay-limestone soils—provides excellent drainage and imparts both finesse and minerality to the finished wine. The vinification respects Bordeaux tradition, with fermentation in temperature-controlled vats and an élevage that may include both stainless steel and oak, allowing the fruit character and subtle structure to shine.

Bordeaux as a region boasts a long and storied winemaking heritage, renowned for its temperate maritime climate influenced by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and Gironde estuary. This climate offers mild winters and warm summers, with just enough rainfall to enable slow, even ripening. The diversity of soil types in the region, from gravel to limestone and clay, allows Merlot to flourish on the right bank and in regional appellations like this. Historically, Bordeaux has been synonymous with blending, carefully balancing variety and terroir expression, resulting in wines celebrated for their structure, elegance, and ageing potential.

This Merlot-dominated Bordeaux is wonderfully versatile at the table. Its supple tannins and round fruit make it ideal with classic French dishes such as roast duck breast, entrecôte Bordelaise (steak with red wine sauce), or a hearty beef casserole. For a touch of regional flavour, pair it with lamb cutlets grilled with herbes de Provence or a traditional canard aux cèpes (duck with mushrooms). Vegetarian options like mushroom risotto or aubergine gratin also work beautifully, echoing the wine’s earthier notes.

Serve Château Lafite Monteil 2018 at 16-18°C to highlight its aromatic depth and elegant texture. Decant for about 30 minutes beforehand to help the wine open up, revealing its full spectrum of fruit and subtle oak-derived complexity. Enjoy now for its vibrancy, or cellar for a few more years to observe further evolution.