Bordeaux 2020 En Primeur
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Introduction to the 2020 Bordeaux vintage
2020 is an excellent vintage, the third in a trio of hot years, vying in quality with 2018 and ‘19, but quite distinct from those years in character. Critics like Neal Martin place 2020 ahead of 2018 and neck and neck with ’19, but, for us, understanding the personality of the vintage is as important as an absolute hierarchy. On the left bank, the 2020s have an intense purity of fruit, strikingly complex aromas, wonderful freshness and fine structure. On the right bank, quality is more uniformly excellent, particularly in Pomerol and St.-Émilion. The wines are concentrated but also have fine and complex floral aromas. Merlot was a particular star of the vintage, contributing the delicate violet aromas, which it develops when perfectly ripe, to wines from both sides of the Gironde.
In an excellent but heterogeneous year such as 2020, detail is key to understanding why some areas excelled. This is the second en primeur campaign in which we have been unable to make our usual visit to Bordeaux to taste from cask. Numerous samples were sent by the châteaux, but we do miss the accompanying discussions with winemakers, they add so much to our understanding of the vintage. However, more detailed information is available than ever and these days we even receive a report from a satellite company, mapping rainfall and weather throughout the growing season at a ‘granular’ level, from which we have drawn in our summary, below.
The 2020 growing season
The 2020 growing season has similarities with 2016, 2018 and 2019. A wet spring was followed by a dry, hot summer; then a warm, dry harvest. As in 2018, it was an early vintage, but the extremes of temperature were not as high as during the heatwave experienced in 2018.
Early budbreak led to an early flowering, in May. Fortunately, this led to the harvest being completed in September, before heavy rain in October. From December to May, average temperatures were 2 °C above normal. This was followed by a hot summer and a very warm September. The GDD (Growing Degree Days, a measure of heat accumulation) was 1826 in 2020, compared to 1763 in 2019 and 1940 in 2018. This gives a good measure of why these years form a trilogy compared to vintages earlier in the decade. In 2011-17 the GDD hovered between 1374 and 1575!
Overall rainfall levels were also high and 2020 was the wettest in recent years (1244mm, compared to 790mm in 2019 and 950mm in 2018), but much of this came in sudden cloudbursts. Frequently, heavy rain would affect one village and leave the neighbouring village untouched. Drought hit from mid-June to mid-August, with a further 20 days with no rain at all after the last weekend of August. The vines were dehydrated when the hot September arrived. This was when those vineyards with vines on soils with a higher proportion of clay were really fortunate and able to excel, for example in parts of St Estèphe and Margaux, versus the more gravel-dominated Pauillac.
The case for 2020
With three excellent vintages in a row, you might be weary of hearing nothing but superlatives from us. However, it is worth remembering that we have selected the 96 wines below from amongst 158 Grands Crus Classés, 250 Cru Bourgeois wines and thousands of right and left bank petits châteaux. Many of our recommendations are at the cutting edge of viticultural and winemaking technology. Much as we love clarets from past vintages, the quality of contemporary Bordeaux wines surpasses those from even just a few years ago. Precision and micro-viticulture and vinification (where each individual parcel of vines is treated according to its unique characteristics and needs and where the fruit is vinified separately) is becoming more widespread and refined. Figeac and Lynch-Bages are the latest big names to build new wineries, with innovations like stainless steel tanks on elevators, capable of moving the wine through the winery via gravity, to eliminate the need for pumping. This precise approach allows the winemaker to express the identity of each vineyard more clearly and is accompanied by a trend towards less oak influence, allowing terroir notes to shine through (particularly welcome on the right bank).
Conversion to organics and biodynamics is also helping to increase quality at the best estates. A good example of this is crop thinning, rather than spraying, in response to mildew. The reduction in yields has the additional consequence of concentrating the remaining fruit; as well as leaving the vines in a healthier state, which then produce better fruit in subsequent vintages.
In summary, the wines have never been better, and the 2020 vintage offers wines for both medium-term enjoyment and long-term ageing. As we mention above, Pomerol and St.-Émilion have excelled and if you have overlooked these appellations in the past, this is the time to try them. The same goes for Pessac-Léognan, with its unique and intense expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, and where some superb wines were made. The left bank, though less uniform, has many standout successes, especially amongst wines at the top end, where those mixed clay soils and older vines with deep root systems were able to access ground water. The exceptional frosts earlier this year have reduced the potential size of the 2021 Bordeaux harvest by around a third and we expect upward pressure on prices next year. With so many excellent wines on offer from 2020, this is the ideal time to lay down your chosen wines from this excellent and distinctive vintage.
With thanks to Gavin Quinney and Saturnalia for information from their 2020 Bordeaux Weather reports.
VIEW ALL 2020 BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR RELEASES WITH FULL NOTES AND SCORES HERE
| RED | 2020 | 5 cases | Château Angludet | 75cl | £285 per case of 12 | Château Angludet 2020 / 5 cases / 75cl £285 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Cask sample. Deepest crimson with smudgy rim. Lively, fresh aroma with the fruit not the oak to the fore. (No info provided on the oak used, nor on the varietal make-up.) Cassis, blackberry and some red-plum sweetness, which comes through on the palate. Not particularly intense but harmonious, with finely layered dry tannins. Definitely one of the more approachable and digestible Margaux 2020s I have tasted. Hint of chocolate on the finish. 13.5%. Drink 2026 – 2037. 16 points.” JH, Jancisrobinson.com, Apr 2021------"The 2020 Château Angludet is brisk and precise on the nose of blackberry and bilberry fruit, touches of iodine and pressed flowers coming through with time; there’s wonderful focus and energy here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. A saline and marine-influenced Margaux, well balanced with a little grittiness toward the finish. Yet overall, this classically styled Angludet has commendable breeding and should give 20 years of drinking pleasure. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------" Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavors with licorice and tar. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a long, creamy finish. Best of the trilogy. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2020 Château D'Angludet looks to be outstanding, with beautiful red and blue-tinged fruits as well as notes of dried flowers, sandalwood, and leafy herbs, followed by medium to full-bodied richness on the palate. Offering a layered mid-palate and ripe tannins, it’s just a round, balanced, delicious Margaux that will have 15-20 years of longevity. 91-93 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Ausone | 75cl | £3,100 per case of 6 | Château Ausone 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £3,100 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 4 cases | Château Ausone - Chapelle d'Ausone | 75cl | £695 per case of 6 | Château Ausone Chapelle d'Ausone 2020 / 4 cases / 75cl £695 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Definitely more Cabernet-orientated these days providing a structured, driven feel to the palate. Aromatically reserved but lithe fruit and firm but fine tannins. Great persistence on the finish. Should fill out in time. 16.5+ points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"This has a beautifully nuanced yet deep flavour, showing the tight pared-back salinity and juice of limestone alongside fleshy blackberry fruits. There are firm but flexible tannins, it has grip and tension and frankly all the things that you want from a Chapelle, giving a generous hint of what you can expect from Ausone itself. First year of official conversion to organic farming. 3.66pH. 100% new oak. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040. 94 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Chapelle d’Ausone has a well defined, focused bouquet. Tightly-wound at first, the 2020 opens with lavender and incense aromas infusing the red berry fruit. Touches of rose petal emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins and moderate depth. A discrete white pepper note builds towards the finish that is vivacious and vibrant. I suspect that this might close down a little after bottling, but there is great potential. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 10 cases | Château Beaumont | 75cl | £110 per case of 12 | Château Beaumont 2020 / 10 cases / 75cl £110 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 Beaumont offers ripe black fruit, briar and pine, just like it did from barrel; it's well-defined, with maybe a little more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry, fine acidity and a sapid, tobacco-tinged finish. There is a fine sense of classicism in this Haut-Médoc. 90 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"the 2020 Château Beaumont sports a deep purple hue as well as solid red and black fruits interwoven with lots of tobacco, crushed stone, and graphite-like aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium-bodied portion of the spectrum, it has beautiful mid-palate depth, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. It will drink well on release yet benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for over a decade. This is a classic, impeccably made Haut-Médoc. 90-92 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 Beaumont is dark, fleshy and wonderfully expressive. Charcoal, scorched earth, lavender and spice give this dark, plummy Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Superieur so much character and personality. Expressive spice and floral notes reappear on the long, beautifully articulated finish. This is a winner. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A linear and polished young red with compact, silky tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant, mushroom and spice character. Very solid wine from here. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 5 cases | Château Berliquet | 75cl | £395 per case of 12 | Château Berliquet 2020 / 5 cases / 75cl £395 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"69% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Clean and effortless in style. Delicate summer-fruit notes with a hint of mint. Juicy and fresh with chalky tannins and dry finish. Eminently digeste. (JL) 16.5 points" jancisrobinson.com------"A slightly cooler terroir than its sibling estate Château Canon, a little more clay-based which gives weight, depth and power while also being austere right now, with grippy tannins and a bite of blood orange. Great stuff, can start drinking this in five to six years to allow the structure to soften while keeping the appeal of the wild cherry and blackberry fruits. 50% new oak for 16 months. Drinking Window 2028 - 2042. 93 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Berliquet is composed of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, weighing in at 14.5% alcohol. It is aging in French oak barrels, 50% new. Deep purple-black colored, it trots casually out of the glass with effortlessly flamboyant scents of stewed black cherries, warm plums and baked blackberries, plus hints of chocolate mint, violets and licorice with a touch of fertile loam. The medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly wound with layers of ripe black fruits and earthy accents, framed by finely grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Drink 2026-2046. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Very soft and polished with beautiful tannins that are poised and beautiful. It’s medium-to full-bodied and gorgeously proportioned. Ready for even more polishing. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Berliquet | Magnum | £410 per case of 6 | Château Berliquet 2020 / 2 cases / Magnum £410 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"69% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Clean and effortless in style. Delicate summer-fruit notes with a hint of mint. Juicy and fresh with chalky tannins and dry finish. Eminently digeste. (JL) 16.5 points" jancisrobinson.com------"A slightly cooler terroir than its sibling estate Château Canon, a little more clay-based which gives weight, depth and power while also being austere right now, with grippy tannins and a bite of blood orange. Great stuff, can start drinking this in five to six years to allow the structure to soften while keeping the appeal of the wild cherry and blackberry fruits. 50% new oak for 16 months. Drinking Window 2028 - 2042. 93 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Berliquet is composed of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, weighing in at 14.5% alcohol. It is aging in French oak barrels, 50% new. Deep purple-black colored, it trots casually out of the glass with effortlessly flamboyant scents of stewed black cherries, warm plums and baked blackberries, plus hints of chocolate mint, violets and licorice with a touch of fertile loam. The medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly wound with layers of ripe black fruits and earthy accents, framed by finely grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Drink 2026-2046. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Very soft and polished with beautiful tannins that are poised and beautiful. It’s medium-to full-bodied and gorgeously proportioned. Ready for even more polishing. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Beychevelle | 75cl | £895 per case of 12 | Château Beychevelle 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £895 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Branaire Ducru | 75cl | £395 per case of 12 | Château Branaire Ducru 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £395 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Brane Cantenac | 75cl | £295 per case of 6 | Château Brane Cantenac 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £295 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 3 cases | Château Calon Ségur | 75cl | £510 per case of 6 | Château Calon Ségur 2020 / 3 cases / 75cl £510 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Canon | 75cl | £345 per case of 3 | Château Canon 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £345 per case of 3 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Canon | 75cl | £820 per case of 6 | Château Canon 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £820 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Cantemerle | 75cl | £225 per case of 12 | Château Cantemerle 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £225 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Capbern | 75cl | £100 per case of 6 | Château Capbern 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £100 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Focused and direct. Long and linear but juicy as well with fine-grained tannins and a minerally tone that persists. Freshness and balance on the finish. GV? 12.8%. Drink 2027 – 2040. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL)------"Offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, spices, rose petals and loamy soil, the 2021 Capbern is a medium to full-bodied, lively and charming wine with beautifully refined tannins and an impressively penetrating finish. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot that attained 12.8% alcohol. 89-91 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2021 Capbern was cropped at 36hL/ha with a 20-day cuvaison, and matured in 60% new oak for a planned 18 months. It has an attractive, fragrant bouquet of vivacious black and blue fruit, a lovely pencil box element emanating from the Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, respectable weight and acidity and a saline finish. Not the most complex Saint-Estèphe you will find, but commendable for the vintage and thoroughly enjoyable. (12.8% alcohol) 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2021 Capbern is absolutely gorgeous. The aromatics alone are so alluring. A whole range of Cabernet inflections leads into a core of bright red toned fruit. Dried herbs, mint, tobacco, cedar, crushed flowers and red berry fruit grace this exquisite, vibrant Saint-Estèphe. Bright acids perk up the finish. En primeur samples were taken from new barrels only, but the final wine is projected to have 60% new oak. 90-92 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"A medium-bodied, firm and very fresh red with crunchy black-fruit and bark character. Tight, fine tannins. Mineral and tea-like quality. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot and 2% petit verdot. 91-92 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2021 Château Capbern is rock-solid, with wonderful cassis and an assortment of both red and blue fruits, supported by plenty of floral nuances. It's elegant and has considerable finesse, ripe tannins, and terrific purity. It shows the more charming, mid-weight style of the vintage, yet it's a solid wine that will deliver the goods. 91-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 5 cases | Château Carlmagnus | 75cl | £120 per case of 12 | Château Carlmagnus 2020 / 5 cases / 75cl £120 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 Carlmagnus has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and vivacious scents of redcurrant jelly, ripe black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of iron ore, black truffles, lavender and cracked black pepper. The medium to full-bodied palate fills the mouth with intense red and black fruit layers, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and earthy. Drink 2024-2040. 91-93 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Clerc Milon | 75cl | £640 per case of 12 | Château Clerc Milon 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £640 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes“53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. First vintage for Caroline Artaud (ex Fourcas-Hosten). Cask sample. Dense and profound with layers of fruit and tannin. Subdued nose with a floral note. Tannins powdery but very finely layered. Exudes power but is harmonious at the same time. 13.3%. Drink 2027 – 2045. 17.5 points.” (JL), Jancisrobinson.com------"The 2020 Clerc Milon has a crisp, well-defined bouquet that you might suspect derives from a cooler growing season. Mainly black fruit here, along with cedar and light sea spray/estuarine scents, unfolding nicely in the glass but always keeping something back. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. An elegant rather than powerful Clerc Milon, with a slightly ferrous, well-structured but never grippy finish and a saline aftertaste. Give this 4–5 years in bottle. Classic Pauillac through and through. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2020 Clerc Milon - a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot with just a splash of Carmenere - has a deep garnet-purple color, opening with notes of tar, unsmoked cigars, bouquet garni and graphite, giving way to a core of ripe black and red currants, boysenberries and tree bark, plus a touch of black olives. The medium-bodied palate delivers fantastic tension and impressively ripe, fine-grained tannins to support the crunchy, energetic black fruit flavors, finishing with a lively herbal lift. Drink 2025-2040. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Powerful, a little austere with tight black fruits that will benefit from adding flesh over ageing, as the tannins are a little angular right now. The freshly crushed mint leaf finish is beautiful, and this is is ripped with powerful nuanced fruit, tobacco and earthy flavours, followed by waves of violet flowers. Good quality, not as exuberant as some years of Clerc Milon. First year of Caroline Artaud to oversee the entire vintage, as Jean-Philippe Danjoy has headed over to Mouton. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 50% new oak. There is also 0.6% of Carmanère in the blend. Drinking Window 2028 - 2044. 94 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The top wine 2020 Château Clerc Milon checks in as 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot and Carmenère, and it's another beauty, offering both richness and elegance. Ripe currants, cassis, damp earth, graphite, and crushed stone-like minerality define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a more focused, pure texture, plenty of expansive richness on the mid-palate, and ripe, building tannins. This beautifully layered, pure wine shows the style of the vintage nicely. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Very pure character to this wine with crushed fruit and round tannins. It’s really transparent and delicate, yet bold at the same time. Super tannins. Vivid. Very primary and berry-like. May well turn out to be even better than this in bottle. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Clinet | 75cl | £395 per case of 6 | Château Clinet 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £395 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Very dark right to the purplish rim. Rich and sumptuous aroma of pure, sweet, black fruit, entwined with oak's sweet spice. Powerful and a little charry on the palate, the tannins thick and compact but already smooth. A big, alcoholic beast of a wine but ends with unexpected freshness, and, even with this high alcohol, just about in balance. Long, chewy finish. Wholesome, powerful. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (JH)------"The 2020 Clinet is a gorgeous, vivid Pomerol. Today, the Clinet feels a bit closed in on itself, but has terrific energy and plenty of drive. Dark cherry jam, mocha, rose petal, new leather and tobacco start to open with a bit of time in the glass. Readers will have to be patient here. There is plenty to look forward to. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Deep cherry damson red in colour, clear depth. Touches of kicking spice right from the start, I like the surprise of the battle between richness and bitterness. It feels like a heavy blanket of fruit which is burrowing down but then kicks off to let the air in alongside velvet stroking tannins, very Pomerol with coffee and chocolate. Feels confident and powerful, good stuff, if broad shouldered. A yield of 38 hl/ha. Will see at least 16 months in barrel. Tasted twice, also at Pomeol Seduction; and this is a big, seductive wine. Drinking Window 2029 - 2044. 95 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Clinet was picked September 14–17 for the Merlot and September 24 for the Cabernet Sauvignon, at 38hl/ha, and matured in 80% new oak. Its 15.0° alcohol is the highest ever. The bravura nose delivers copious black cherries, blueberry and violet aromas that explode from the glass. This is a Pomerol that really wants to make an impression. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, hints of chocolate chip infusing the mixture of black and blueberry fruit. Lavish and satiny in texture toward the long finish. This is a bold and extravagant Clinet that I hope will just find a little refinement and more terroir expression during its élevage. If it does, it should land at the top of my banded score. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This is extremely polished with ultra fine tannins that are so exquisite, giving this a seamless and weightless mouth feel. Medium-bodied, extremely long and harmonious. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2020 Clinet (a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) has an opaque purple-black color, needing a little coaxing to unleash bold, powerful notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and black raspberries, followed by suggestions of cracked black pepper, menthol, cedar chest and rose oil with a hint of licorice. The big, rich, full-bodied palate is a powerhouse, bursting with impactful black and blue fruit preserves flavors, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and fantastically perfumed. 96-98 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------I continue to love the wines from this estate, and the 2020 Château Clinet is no exception. Straight-up sensational notes of blueberries, cassis, violets, tobacco, and earth all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is full-bodied, with a rich, concentrated mid-palate, flawless balance, and a great finish. It shows the tighter, fresher, more focused style of the vintage, yet it still brings plenty of mid-palate depth as well as an expansive texture. It has enough oak to warrant short-term bottle age but will have 25-30 years of overall longevity. This is a gorgeous wine. 96-98+ points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Cos d'Estournel | 75cl | £720 per case of 6 | Château Cos d'Estournel 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £720 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes“62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot. Cask sample. Purple-black colour to the rim. Deep and dense (like an endless pool) but aromatically restrained. Some cassis with aeration. Big and bold with marked tension and supercharged but finely hewn tannins. Enough fruit to provide unctuosity. Fresh, dry and saline through to the finish. Powerful but sculpted. Very long ageing. (JL) 13.5%. Drink 2030 – 2055. 18.5 points.” (JL), Jancisrobinson.com, Apr 21------"The 2020 Cos d’Estournel is a very different proposition to the Les Pagodes, more so than in other years. Much more intense on the nose of intense black fruit, it is beautifully defined, with enticing scents of blackberry, Dorset plum and topnotes of blueberry and briar. After 30 minutes in the glass, it develops more Saint-Estèphe-like traits: freshly tilled soil, cigar box and touches of warm gravel. There is an openness to these inviting aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins (so different from the "iron girders" of yore). There is freshness and a sense of light in this Cos d’Estournel, though the backbone remains in situ on the cedar and mint finish (a nod to neighboring Pauillac, perhaps), then a lingering marine/seaweed note on the aftertaste. This is a finely crafted, very succinct Cos d’Estournel that may well be hiding something up its sleeve for after bottling, and I suspect it will gain more spine during its barrel aging. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com ------"You need to take a little time to let the concentrated flavours seep out, this is a long hauler. The tannins build slowly but surely through the palate, sombre and serious right now, particularly for an estate that is known for its exuberance. The opulence is there if you give it time, and as the tannins elongate and relax, richer notes of bilberry fruits, toasted cedar, salted chocolate, turmeric and black pepper spice arrives. Harvest September 10 to 24. A 3.9pH is the highest since 2003, but any threat of low acidity is balanced by high tannins, and relatively low alcohol. A yield of 39hl/ha (43hl/ha in 2019). Drinking Window 2027 - 2044. 97 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Cos d'Estournel is composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot. The harvest took place September 10–24 with a yield of 39 hectoliters per hectare. The alcohol weighs in at 13.46% with a pH of 3.9 and an IPT (total phenolic index) of 80. It is being aged in French oak barrels, 55% new. Deep purple-black in color, it pops with explosive scents of ripe red and black currants, black cherry preserves and black raspberries, followed by sparks of violets, wild sage, pencil lead and clove oil, with emerging hints of iron ore and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate has amazing elegance and grace contrasted by jaw-dropping energy, featuring a firm frame of finely grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a whole firework display of mineral nuances. I love the way this Cos d'Estournel shimmies and shines—a unique vintage signature expressed so beautifully at this estate! Drink 2018-2060. 96-98 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château d'Armailhac | 75cl | £395 per case of 12 | Château d'Armailhac 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £395 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes“59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Aromatic finesse with perfumed, floral notes. Mid palate is juicy and fresh, backed by firm, grainy tannins. Confirmed structure but slightly chewy finish. (JL) 13.3%. Drink 2026 – 2035. 16.5 points.”------"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 D'Armailhac strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of cassis, warm plums and cedar chest, plus wafts of pencil lead, bay leaves and kirsch. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the crunchy black and red fruits, finishing savory. The blend this year is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol of 13.3%. Drink 2024-2037. 90-92 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"A little austere on the opening beats. Carving out its place more clearly alongside its two Pauillac siblings, this has some excellent sappy dark fruits, plenty of tannins and power but also elegance and confidence. This Armailac is gorgeous, lovely mid palate dept, and plenty of juicy blueberry and bilberry fruit, with lift through the finish, 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 50% new oak. Harvest September 7 to 29. The new cellar with be finished for the 2021 harvest, but this one was made in the temporary cellar. I really like this, it has a floral edge, a juice and freshness and sense of elegance; a good two minutes after you have stopped tasting a wave of subtle smoke comes in - the after wash of a fine gravel terroir. 50% new oak, harvest from September 7 to 29 across the three estates. Drinking Window 2028 - 2042. 93 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine-----"A blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, hitting 13.2% alcohol, the 2020 Château D'Armailhac sports a vivid purple hue to go with beautiful cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with lots of chalky minerality, toasty oak, graphite, and tobacco. It has the round, supple style of the vintage yet still brings ample tannic grip, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and should be drinkable with just 2-4 years of bottle age yet age just fine. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 d’Armailhac, raised in 50% new oak with a planned 17-month barrel maturation, is a little deeper in color compared to the Clerc Milon. I find more complexity on the nose of blackberry, briar, cedar and pencil box aromas, less extravagant than previous vintages and more terroir-driven, perhaps. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that have a little more edge than the Clerc Milon, plus there is slightly more mineralité and depth. In particular, the finish is very harmonious and fans out wonderfully. This Château d’Armailhac is a splendid wine in the making, and one of the best examples from the estate that I have tasted out of barrel. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château d'Issan | 75cl | £485 per case of 12 | Château d'Issan 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £485 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Duhart Milon | 75cl | £300 per case of 6 | Château Duhart Milon 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £300 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 19 cases | Château Durand Laplagne | 75cl | £110 per case of 12 | Château Durand Laplagne 2020 / 19 cases / 75cl £110 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 19 cases | Château Durand Laplagne "Les Terres Rouge" | 75cl | £110 per case of 12 | Château Durand Laplagne "Les Terres Rouge" 2020 / 19 cases / 75cl £110 per case of 12 |
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| WHITE | 2020 | 1 bottle | Château d'Yquem | Magnum | £530 per bottle | Château d'Yquem 2020 / 1 bottle / Magnum £530 per bottle |
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| WHITE | 2020 | 1 case | Château d'Yquem | Half bottle | £795 per case of 6 | Château d'Yquem 2020 / 1 case / Half bottle £795 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2020 | 6 cases | Château d'Yquem | 75cl | £795 per case of 3 | Château d'Yquem 2020 / 6 cases / 75cl £795 per case of 3 |
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| WHITE | 2020 | 2 cases | Château d'Yquem | 75cl | £1,590 per case of 6 | Château d'Yquem 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £1,590 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2020 | 1 case | Château d'Yquem - Y' d'Yquem | 75cl | £850 per case of 6 | Château d'Yquem Y' d'Yquem 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £850 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Gloria | 75cl | £320 per case of 12 | Château Gloria 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £320 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes“Cask sample taken 31 March. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot. Aged for just 14 months in cask. Deep crimson. Very lively and well-balanced with the acidity and fruit and tannin all in nice harmony. Restrained but fully ripe. Classic and successful. Very appetising and long finish. 13.5%. Drink 2026 – 2043. 17 points.” Jancisrobinson.com------"Opaque purple-black colored, the 2020 Gloria comes soaring out of the glass with notes of blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums and blueberry compote, followed by suggestions of powdered cinnamon, cedar chest and menthol, plus a waft of graphite. The medium to full-bodied palate is completely coated with juicy black fruits, framed by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot, aging for approximately 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. The alcohol is 13.3%. Drink 2024-2043. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Playing in the same class as the 2016, 2018, and 2019, the 2020 Château Gloria reveals a vivid purple hue as well beautiful blue fruits intermixed with gravelly earth, graphite, and crushed stone. I was able to taste this on two separate occasions and it was brilliant both times, offering medium to full-bodied richness and a powerful yet weightless mouthfeel as well as silky tannins. It also has a terrific sense of freshness. It will drink well relatively young yet keep for two decades. 93-95 points" Jeb Dunnock, RobertParker.com------"The 2020 Gloria has an intense nose of penetrating blackberry, raspberry, crushed violet and crushed stone aromas. After 20 minutes, this just blossoms in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity and just a touch of espresso and orange peel toward the finish, which remains taught and focused. What a wonderful Gloria! This might actually surpass its sibling, Château St. Pierre, this year. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Very focused and poised with blackberry, blackcurrant and graphite character. It’s full-to medium-bodied with racy tannins and a long, dynamic finish. Will be interesting to see if 2020 is better than 2019. 94-95 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Grand Pontet | 75cl | £240 per case of 12 | Château Grand Pontet 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £240 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Very deep purplish crimson. Rich nose with interesting layers. Serious stuff with great juiciness initially but with the build to last quite a while. Really bright fruit. Exciting wine. Long. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com------"The 2020 Grand Pontet has a more floral bouquet than previous years, pressed violets and iris petals complementing the blackberry and blueberry fruit; this displays commendable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and crisp acidity. A decidedly more classic Grand-Pontet compared to recent vintages, conveying commendable salinity toward the finish. This is worth seeking out. 91-93 points" Neal Martin, vinous.com------"Lots of juicy plum and darker berry fruits as well as chocolaty oak and rocking minerality emerge from the 2020 Château Grand-Pontet, a medium to full-bodied, rich, sexy Saint-Emilion. One bottle of this showed much more firm tannins, yet a second bottle was a noticeable step up, with a ripe, seamless texture and beautiful mid-palate depth. It’s certainly going to be an outstanding wine, and if the final wine is closer to the top bottle, it should eclipse this rating. The blend is 77% Merlot with 17% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec. 91-93 points" jebdunnock.com------"The 2020 Grand-Pontet is a rich, heady Saint-Émilion. Black cherry jam, chocolate, spice, licorice, menthol, dried herbs and espresso resonate in the glass. The 2020 is a big wine with huge fruit and equally imposing tannins that need time to soften. There is certainly quite a bit to look forward to. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, vinous.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Grand Puy Lacoste | 75cl | £540 per case of 12 | Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £540 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château La Conseillante | 75cl | £895 per case of 6 | Château La Conseillante 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £895 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château La Mission Haut Brion | 75cl | £675 per case of 3 | Château La Mission Haut Brion 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £675 per case of 3 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château La Petite Eglise | 75cl | £440 per case of 12 | Château La Petite Eglise 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £440 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Labegorce | 75cl | £240 per case of 12 | Château Labegorce 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £240 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Lafon Rochet | 75cl | £340 per case of 12 | Château Lafon Rochet 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £340 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Lagrange | 75cl | £424 per case of 12 | Château Lagrange 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £424 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes“Cask sample taken 2 April. 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, aged for 21 months in barrels of which 60% were new. Bright, deep crimson. Nose a little smudgy with a hint of acidity and then sweetness. Tannins notably well masked. Very dry, even austere, uncompromising finish. 13.5%. Drink 2028 – 2043. 16 points” Jancisrobinson.com, Apr 21------"A perky, bright and enjoyable Lagrange, showing some angularity and austerity to the tannins but at the same time it is bright with clarity of direction, firm and concentrated fruits and juicy on the finish. A little subdued, but this is a quality Lagrange with extremely carefully placed fine tannins and fruit - it shows the essence of St-Julien balance, and one that will not need the full 10 years to come around. 50% less volume than usual. Tasted twice. Drinking Window 2027 - 2042. 93 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"Blackberry and currant with light graphite undertones. It’s medium-bodied with fine, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com------"The 2020 Lagrange has a sensual, beautifully defined bouquet of mineral-infused black fruit, briar, touches of wild mint and crushed stone, conveying wonderful energy and precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, tensile and focused, delivering plenty of energy and an almost steely but persistent finish. This is a classy Lagrange from winemaker Matthieu Bordes and his team. I always feel this Saint-Julien is underrated, but it will challenge the best 2020s from the appellation. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A wine that excels in the appellation, the 2020 Château Lagrange has a slightly modern vibe, with plenty of oak, yet still brings classic Bordeaux tobacco, lead pencil, and earthy minerality as well as pure cassis fruits. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and just about seamless, it’s going to require 5-6 years of bottle age but should cruise for 20-25 years in cold cellars. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Lagrange leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, ripe blackcurrants and minted blackberries, followed by nuances of dark chocolate, star anise and mossy tree bark. The medium-bodied palate is both super intense and super elegant, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness to frame the bright, crunchy black and red fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. Drink 2025-2050. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 7 cases | Château Laroque | 75cl | £250 per case of 12 | Château Laroque 2020 / 7 cases / 75cl £250 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Le Prieuré | 75cl | £195 per case of 6 | Château Le Prieuré 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £195 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château L'Eglise Clinet | 75cl | £1,240 per case of 6 | Château L'Eglise Clinet 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £1,240 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 l’Eglise-Clinet is very deep in color. It has an intense nose featuring blackberry, wild strawberry, touches of Japanese nori and light basalt aromas, gaining in intensity and clarity over the 60 minutes I spent analyzing the sample. The palate has exquisite balance and a silver bead of acidity that slices through the pure black fruit with effortless ease. This is a very harmonious and focused L’Eglise-Clinet, and as always, it is not an immediately crowd-pleasing Pomerol. You have to sit with it and examine its facets, including those that require unlocking with aeration. There is wonderful salinity on the finish, and awe-inspiring persistence. A magnificent testament to a great winemaker. 96-98 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2020 L'Eglise-Clinet is a towering wine. I am not sure what else to say. After having tasted hundreds of 2020s, L'Eglise-Clinet very clearly claims a stake for itself among the wines of the vintage. L'Eglise-Clinet can be a brute in its youth, but the 2020 is all finesse. Sweet red/purplish fruit, rose petal, blood orange and pomegranate are some of the nuances that emerge over time. Perhaps keeping the temperatures a bit cooler in fermentation explains the extraordinary finesse here. The 2020 simply can't be denied. 96-98 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Always up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the 2020 Château L'Eglise Clinet is no exception. It boasts a rich, powerful, opulent style that packs loads of ripe black cherries as well as notes of chocolate, earth, tobacco, and graphite. Possessing the pure, elegant, more focused style of the vintage, it still has plenty of mid-palate depth, gorgeous tannins, and one heck of a great finish. This beauty is a thrill a minute and will not hit maturity for another 7-8 years, but it will be a 20-year wine. 96-98 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 L'Eglise Clinet is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked between the 11th and the 14th of September, and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 16th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.4% and is aging in French oak barrels, 80% new. Displaying and opaque purple-black color, it needs a bit of swirling to reveal a fascinating array of earthy notes—black truffles, charcoal, mossy tree bark and fallen leaves—over a profound core of preserved plums, blackberry preserves and violets, with a waft of tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate has exquisitely ripe tannins and bold freshness supporting the seductively ripe, black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. Drink 2028-2068. 97-99 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Léoville Poyferré | 75cl | £795 per case of 12 | Château Léoville Poyferré 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £795 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 4 cases | Château Les Cruzelles | 75cl | £220 per case of 12 | Château Les Cruzelles 2020 / 4 cases / 75cl £220 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 Les Cruzelles offers plenty of brambly red fruit on the nose, where touches of undergrowth, menthol and cassis unfold with time. Compared to the La Chenade, there is a little more showiness here. The palate is medium-bodied with superb acidity that cuts through the graphite-tinged black fruit. Displaying wonderful focus and energy from start to finish, this is a classy Lalande de Pomerol that should give 12–15 years of drinking pleasure. Superb. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2020 Les Cruzelles is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, coming from gravelly clay soil. The Merlot was picked from the 10th to the 15th September, and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 16th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 50% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with impactful notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and kirsch, plus suggestions of violets, mocha and pencil lead. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with vibrant black fruits and fantastic freshness, framed by ripe, velvety tannins, finishing long and fragrant. 18,000 bottles are expected to be made. Drink 2024-2039. 91-93 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Black earth and clay with dark-berry and violet character. It’s medium-to full- bodied with creamy tannins and a fresh finish. More opulent than the 2019. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com------"Stands out from La Chenade in the vintage, with its velvet texture and a more serious sculpted feel overall. Tobacco and liquorice notes besides black cherry and raspberry fruits, good tension, serious but with Lalande-de-Pomerol unfussy appeal. 3.72pH. A yield of 38hl/ha. Drinking Window 2023 - 2034. 94 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine |
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| RED | 2020 | 4 cases | Château Les Gravières | 75cl | £150 per case of 12 | Château Les Gravières 2020 / 4 cases / 75cl £150 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 Les Gravières takes some time to settle in the glass, eventually offering black cherries, cassis and a touch of boot polish and crushed violets. The palate is medium-bodied with espresso-infused black fruit. The oak comes across quite strongly, especially toward the lactic finish, although it has an attractive soft texture. 86-88 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2020 Les Gravières is a powerful, bold Saint-Émilion loaded with intense mineral and savory notes that play off a core of inky dark fruit. Blueberry jam, gravel, smoke, lavender, licorice and cloves add gravitas. Les Gravières is another impressive wine in the trio of 2020s I tasted from proprietor Denis Barraud. I very much like the vibrancy and tension here. Tasted two times. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Made from 100% Merlot, the 2020 Les Gravieres has a deep purple-black color, rolling out of the glass with ready-for-business scents of plum preserves, baked black cherries and blueberry pie, plus hints of violets, clove oil and camphor, with a waft of tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers velvety tannins and a lively backbone to support the generous black and blue fruits, finishing long and spicy. Drink 2025-2045. 93-95 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, Robert.Parker.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 3 cases | Château L'Evangile | 75cl | £950 per case of 6 | Château L'Evangile 2020 / 3 cases / 75cl £950 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 L’Evangile marks the opening of a chapter with a new winemaking team in place. Perhaps now it will begin challenging the Pomerol elite, which it ought to, given its terroir. The nose augurs a different L’Evangile, no question about that. Gone is the wall of new oak that occasionally shrouded the fruit and terroir expression; the oak is still there, but far more assimilated into the attractive brambly red berry fruit, black currant pastilles and light rose petal scents. The palate is smooth on the entry, so much so that it belies the depth of this wine. Complex and quite cerebral, delivering palpable salinity, particularly toward the finish. Veins of black truffle and white pepper come through with aeration over the course of an hour, and with revisits at three-hour intervals. I think there is a little work to do, but what this L’Evangile conveys is newfound personality and soul and a sense of Pomerol typicité. A new chapter opens. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2020 L'Évangile is fabulous. Aromatic, deep and fleshy, with magnificent purity of fruit, L'Évangile dazzles right out of the gate. Bright Franc aromatics add striking lift as well as vibrancy that carries through to the long, delineated finish. There is an energy to the 2020 that is palpable. Harvest for the Merlot began on September 3, ahead of a heat wave that was forecast, and wrapped up on the 14th for the Merlot and the 21st for the Franc. That approach worked so well here. In the past, L'Évangile and Lafite-Rothschild were very different stylistically, but that seems to be changing now that Saskia de Rothschild is spending a great deal of her time in Pomerol with the new winemaking team. The estate, certified biodynamic as of 2021, has been pursuing a more refined approach for a few years, but 2020 is the first recent vintage where the personality of the year seems to have aligned especially well with the current thinking here. The 2020 L'Évangile is easily the most Lafite-like L'Évangile I have ever tasted. Don't miss it! 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Described as a new age for l’Evangile by the estate, their 2020 Château L'Evangile showed beautifully, with the pure, elegant yet still ripe, beautifully concentrated style of the estate these days. Rocking levels of crème de cassis, black cherries, blueberries, graphite, and violets all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a terrific sense of purity, present, ripe yet firm tannins, and a great finish. It's a promising, elegant yet at the same time powerful 2020 that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 20-25 years or more. The blend is 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, all raised in 60% new French oak. 95-97+ points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The sculpting of L'Evangile that began over the past few vintages continues, and the 2020 is a gorgeous wine. Pristine fruit, silky with a whoosh of menthol. It elevates over the palate, both dense and light, with blueberry and raspberry fruits, and pulses of bitter almond and honeysuckle on the finish that gives focus and spice. Juliette Couderc joined L'Evangile (from DBR Lafite's Long Dai winery) in September 2020 so for the harvest of this wine, working alongside technical director Olivier Tregoat. 50% first wine, with no Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year because it was so over-concentrated that it made too much impact. Increased selective harvesting meant going through vineyard plots six times to bring in the grapes as they ripened. A yield of 32hl/ha. In the final year of organic conversion, so this next vintage 2021 will be certified. Drinking Window 2028 - 2050. 98 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 L'Evangile rolls effortlessly out of the glass with notions of mulberries, black raspberries and stewed red and black plums, plus suggestions of Indian spices, dusty soil and violets with a touch of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate possesses compelling freshness and a fine-grained texture to support the muscular black and red fruits, finishing long and earthy. 96-98+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"This is so floral and pure, showing crushed-grape character with some walnut and crunchy seeds. It’s full-bodied, juicy and fresh. Purity of fruit. Juicy and long. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Lilian Ladouys | 75cl | £145 per case of 12 | Château Lilian Ladouys 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £145 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 Lilian Ladouys offers light blackberry, raspberry and sous-bois scents on the nose, although to my recollection, the previous two vintages demonstrated a little more fruit intensity. The medium-bodied palate offers grainy tannins and fine acidity. Quite peppery, especially toward the finish, with bay leaf and tea leaf notes infusing the black fruit. Classic Saint-Estèphe in style. This should drink well for 12–15 years. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com ------"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Lilian Ladouys comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, kirsch and warm cassis, plus hints of cinnamon stick, dusty soil and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate delivers mouth-filling black berry and earthy layers, supported by ripe, approachable tannins and a racy backbone, finishing on a lingering mineral note. A property to watch—in 2018, the Lorenzetti family purchased two neighbor estates, Château Clauzet and Château Tour de Pez, adding these to the Lilian Ladouys vineyard to almost double its planted area to 77 hectares. These additional vineyards are composed of gravelly soils of the same level as the best blocks of Lilian Ladouys. Soils are a typical Saint-Estèphe mix of sandy gravel and clay with some limestone deposits. It is planted at 8,500-10,000 vines per hectare, with an average vine age of 37 years in 2020. Drink 2025-2043. 91-93 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"A very pretty, medium-bodied wine with fine tannins, lovely fruit and a creamy finish. Nicely integrated for the vintage in this appellation. 92-93 points" jamessuckling.com------"Juicy, well balanced, plenty of personality, with enough juice through the mid palate to balance out the big tannins that are pretty inescapable in any wines of ambition in 2020. The finish closes in sharply, but this is an enjoyable wine from the Lorenzetti-owned Lilian Ladouys (and for me one of the clear leaders of the new Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel category). 35% new oak, harvest September 15 to 30, 78% first wine. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040. 93 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"This estate continues to deliver the goods, and the 2020 Château Lilian Ladouys is another smoking wine readers will love. Lots of ripe black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and damp earth give way to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, textured, beautifully balanced red that will drink well for 20 years or more. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Lynch Bages | 75cl | £480 per case of 6 | Château Lynch Bages 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £480 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 6 cases | Château Malartic Lagraviere | 75cl | £275 per case of 12 | Château Malartic Lagraviere 2020 / 6 cases / 75cl £275 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes“Cask sample taken 6 April and I'm afraid it is written that it should be tasted before 10 April, five days ago… 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, 1.8% Cabernet Franc. Considerable changes to vinification and ageing here, not least shortening vatting times and careful tannin management in the press wines. Dark purplish crimson. Much more mineral than fruity on the nose. But very luscious fruit on the palate. With racy texture and notably fine tannins. Strongly saline finish. Distinctive and already rather appetising. Approachable young. 14.2%. Drink 2026 – 2042. 17 points.” Jancisrobinson.com, Apr 21.------"The deep purple-black 2020 Malartic Lagraviere leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of Bing cherries, black raspberries, ripe plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of pencil lead, wild sage and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely energy and freshness, offering a solid backbone of grainy tannins to support the lively red and black fruit layers, finishing savory. Drink 2025-2045. 92-94 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"The 2020 Malartic Lagravière is a powerful, tightly wound wine. There is perhaps a bit less opulence than in years past, but that just gives the wine an extra kick of energy and vibrancy that is quite attractive. Inky red cherry fruit, rose petal, spice, cedar and cinnamon all grace this beautifully taut wine from the Bonnie family. Tasted three times. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Based on a blend of 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that hit 14.2% natural alcohol, the 2020 Château Malartic-Lagravière offers a gorgeously pure nose of both red and blue fruits as well as lots of floral and mineral nuances. Still aging in 65% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has the vintage’s rich, concentrated style yet gorgeous purity of fruit as well as ripe, polished, building tannins. It's one seriously good 2020 that will impress with short-term bottle age and keep for 25 years or more. It's up with the crème de la crème of the appellation. Tasted three times with consistent notes. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 Malartic Lagravière, whose picking was completed on September 24, before the rains, has a bright, vivid nose of mineral-infused red fruit mixed with hints of blueberry and cassis. Very focused and precise, this is an aromatically sophisticated Pessac-Léognan. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-tinged black fruit, hints of wild mint coming through, and lively and tensile toward the finish. This is one of the best vintages of Malartic Lagravière that I have encountered out of bottle. Ignore at your peril. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Malartic Lagraviere Blanc | 75cl | £440 per case of 12 | Château Malartic Lagraviere Blanc 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £440 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 3 cases | Château Malescot St Exupery | 75cl | £395 per case of 12 | Château Malescot St Exupery 2020 / 3 cases / 75cl £395 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Cask sample. Opulent black fruit on the nose and palate, very finely polished in purity, and the structure is similarly smooth. Lovely black-cherry note as well as liquorice and soy to give savoury context. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (RH)------"Enjoyable black fruit aromatics on the nose, they do a good job here of soft pedalling the extraction on the attack, although by the mid palate we are in bitter chocolate and liquorice territory. Again, concentration and intensity is an overriding signature of the vintage. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. A yield of 31hl/ha. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040. 92 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Malescot Saint Exupéry offers up scents of scorched earth, licorice, smoke, gravel and menthol. Powerful, bold and savory, the 2020 possesses remarkable depth and tons of character. Malescot has been one of the under the radar gems in Bordeaux these last few years. The 2020 is another gorgeous wine from the château. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Lots of cassis, blackberries, toasted spices, and vanilla-tinged oak define the nose of the 2020 Château Malescot Saint Exupery, and it’s medium to full-bodied, round, and supple on the palate. With velvety tannins, terrific mid-palate depth, and the classic purity of fruit that’s the hallmark of the vintage, it builds nicely with time in the glass and is another incredibly impressive Margaux that will have two decades or more of prime drinking. 93-95 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 Malescot St. Exupery was picked at 31hl/ha. It has a bouquet that I would describe as controlled opulence: lavish blueberry, Dorset plums, crushed violet and incense burst from the glass... but in orderly fashion. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe and succulent tannins that lend this Margaux a fleshy texture, yet there is clearly ample structure, as well as marvelous salinity and precision on the finish. This 2020 continues the purple patch for this property and comes highly recommended. 94-96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Malescot St. Exupery prances out of the glass with showy scents of ripe black and red currants, black cherries, raspberry leaves and ground cloves, plus wafts of lilacs and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit layers with a firm, grainy texture and well-balanced acidity, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Solid red with blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spice. Lots of hazelnut, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Best of the trilogy vintages? 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Margaux | 75cl | £2,395 per case of 6 | Château Margaux 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £2,395 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Margaux - Pavillon Rouge du Margaux | 75cl | £740 per case of 6 | Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge du Margaux 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £740 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Meyney | 75cl | £240 per case of 12 | Château Meyney 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £240 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Pierre 1er cru | 75cl | £150 per case of 12 | Château Pierre 1er cru 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £150 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Pontet Canet | 75cl | £660 per case of 12 | Château Pontet Canet 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £660 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Dark, dense and very ripe on the nose. Riper than most Pauillacs tasted. Suave attack then a firm charge of grainy tannin. Fresh and persistent but some chew on the finish. Drink 2027 – 2040. 17 points.” (JL), Jancisrobinson.com, Apr 21------"The 2020 Pontet-Canet is captivating effort from the Tesseron family. The intensely perfumed, savory bouquet is immediately alluring. Deep and substantial, the 2020 is luxuriously rich from start to finish. Swaths of incisive tannin wrap around a core of dark red cherry fruit, gravel, dried herbs and rose petal, and a whole range of floral and savory accents lend aromatic presence. The Pontet-Canet is often a charmer en primeur, but the 2020 comes across as quite serious. I can't wait to see how it develops. As always, one of the signatures of Pontet-Canet is a high proportion of Merlot vis-à-vis its peers among top Left Bank châteaux that lends tremendous midpalate weight. In 2020 production is within historical norms. Mildew pressure was high, but not as severe as in 2018, when two-thirds of the crop was lost in a single day. Harvest took place September 14–30, a bit more of a compact time frame than normal, and a good 7–10 days earlier than is typically the case. Aged in 50% new oak, 35% amphora and 15% once-used barrels. 95-97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Highly successful Pontet, one of the few Pauillacs that, for me, overperforms on its 2019. Inky purple with ruby reflections in colour. Lots of firm but upright tannins, a good dollop of graphite, pencil lead and cassis bud, there is depth through the mid palate shot through with wild blackberry, hawthorn, sage, rosemary and wild mint. It has personality, and is a little old school in the best possible way. Recommended. They have avoided the over-concentrated feel of some Pauillacs in the vintage, while remaining true to the appellation. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend, 50% new oak 35% amphoras, 15% one-year barrels. First full vintage for Mathieu Bessonnet who replaced the previous long-term director Jean-Michel Comme in 2020. 100% first wine, as it has been for the past four years. 45% will be aged in new oak barrels, 15% one year, 40% in amphoras. The mildew pressure was stressful in the early part of the year, but they had learnt from 2018, and brought in the manpower to get around the whole vineyard in a (very long) day, so their yields ended up being close to normal. Drinking Window 2028 - 2042. 97 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"The 2020 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new French oak barriques, 35% concrete amphorae and 15% in one-year-old barrels. Harvest began on the 14th September for the Merlot, and the final lot of Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 30th September. Opaque purple-black in color, it needs significant aeration and swirling to coax out evocative notes of black cherry preserves, raspberry pie, blackcurrant pastilles and damp soil, before launching into gorgeous floral and spice notions of red roses, cinnamon stick, star anise and cardamom, with a waft of crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate reveals a lot of depth and polish, delivering mouth-coating red and black fruits with loads of fragrant earth and floral sparks, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral tinged. This is a singular, fascinating expression of the vintage and highly recommended! Drink 2026-2056. 96-98+ points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"This is integrated, with superb density and beauty, offering blackcurrant, mineral and some bark. Full-bodied, yet so polished and refined. Crushed stone. Lots of expression and texture to this wine. Creamy. Pure and precise. Elegant, yet layered. Slightly plusher than the 2019. Dense, yet agile. Fresh as always. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 50% new oak 15% old oak and 35% concrete amphorae. 98-99 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Pontet Canet | Magnum | £860 per case of 6 | Château Pontet Canet 2020 / 2 cases / Magnum £860 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Potensac | 75cl | £195 per case of 12 | Château Potensac 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £195 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2020 Potensac is composed of 44% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot and 22% Cabernet Franc, weighing in with an alcohol of 14.05%, a pH of 3.63 and an IPT (tannins index) of 76. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on the 29th and 30th of September, the Merlot from the 14th to the 26th of September, the Petit Verdot on the 29th of September and the Cabernet Franc on the 28th of September. With a medium to deep garnet-purple color, it offers up eager-to-please notes of fresh Bing cherries, redcurrants and black raspberries, plus hints of dried Provence herbs, dusty soil, wild mushrooms and tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palate has a good concentration of red and black fruits with a chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing earthy. Drink 2023-2032. 88-90 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"The 2020 Potensac was picked September 14–30 and matured in 20% new oak. It has a clean, pure black currant and blueberry nose, a little more opulent than usual, but well defined and demonstrating a bit more fruité, which it has occasionally lacked in some vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, and quite saline on the entry, with touches of black olive infusing the black fruit. A midweight with a lively, classically fashioned finish, this is a very commendable Potensac that should give 12–15 years of pleasure, but warrants 3–4 years in a cool, damp cellar. 90-92 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"This is very balanced and round with lovely softness. Plenty of fruity. Medium body. Lots of salinity and savoriness. Long and delicious. Friendly already. 44% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon, 22% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. 93-94 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 4 cases | Château Quintus | 75cl | £410 per case of 6 | Château Quintus 2020 / 4 cases / 75cl £410 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Purplish crimson with a healthy glow. Much firmer somehow on the nose than most of the other wines from this appellation. Opulent palate entry but then very sophisticated drive. Distinctively focussed and much drier than most St-Émilions with limestone influence well in evidence. Already persistent. Lean, fresh tannins on the finish. Not in the rich camp but expressive in its own style. 16.5++ points" jancisrobinson.com------"The 2020 Quintus is wonderfully promising. Soft contours and generous fruit give it tons of immediate appeal. Blueberry, mocha, lavender, spice and new leather are some of the aromas and flavors that emerge over time. More than anything else, though, Quintus impresses with its harmony. The 2020 is one of the finest vintages I have tasted here. 92-94 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2020 Quintus is very delineated and focused on the nose, offering ebullient black cherries and raspberry fruit, crushed stone and a subtle marine element that develops with aeration; great energy here. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, a perfect line of acidity and just a slight bitterness that imparts the necessary tension and sapidity on the finish. This is a very suave Saint-Émilion that will be difficult to resist in its youth. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"A big, velvety textured wine, especially in the vintage, the 2020 Château Quintus offers a gorgeous array of pure crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as leafy herbs, graphite, and chocolate. These all carry to a full-bodied Saint-Emilion with a round, mouth-filling texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This estate has been firing on all cylinders of late, and this should be in the same realm as the 2016, 2018, and I suspect, the 2019. 94-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"The 2020 Quintus is a blend of 62.5% Merlot and 37.5% Cabernet Franc, weighing in with an alcohol of 15.4%. Displaying a deep purple-black color, it leaps from the glass with bold notes of crushed blackberries, boysenberries and stewed plums, plus suggestions of chocolate mint, clove oil, lilacs and star anise. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich black fruits and floral accents, framed by well-balanced acidity and finely grained tannins, finishing with great length and impressive energy. Judging from this barrel sample, this is the finest, most complex and complete Quintus yet—bravo! 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"Wow. This is very chalky and salty with lots of mineral character. It shows lots of purple fruit and firm tannins. Racy and bright. Chewy yet fine tannins. Gorgeous. Gets better and better. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Château Rauzan Ségla | 75cl | £380 per case of 6 | Château Rauzan Ségla 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £380 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Château Saint Pierre | 75cl | £440 per case of 12 | Château Saint Pierre 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £440 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Cask sample. Open, juicy black fruit on the nose and palate, with a strongly savoury finish. Cedar and fennel adds interest on the finish, and this has lots of youthful complexity already on offer. A good candidate for relatively early drinking. 17 points" jancisrobinson.com (RH)------"The 2020 Saint-Pierre has a distinctly Pauillac-like nose with veins of graphite and mint infusing the black fruit, focused and full of tension. This is very classy. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that belie the structure underneath. It has good grip, and comes across quite strict and correct. If I am to quibble, and quibble I will, it maybe doesn’t finish with the fireworks that I have noticed on other recent superlative vintages. Perhaps that might develop in barrel. If so, it will warrant a higher score. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"he 2020 Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Inky, rich and explosive, the 2020 possesses magnificent intensity from start to finish. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, chocolate, licorice, graphite and menthol infuse the 2020 with striking depth. The 2020 is heady and unctuous, but not at all overdone. It is one of my early favorites in this vintage, within its peer group. Tasted two times. 93-95 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"The 2020 Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) looks to be beautiful, with a fresher, focused, yet still powerful style that fits nicely into the vintage. Lots of black and blue fruits, crushed stone, and graphite define the nose, and it's full-bodied, with a great mid-palate, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. It's going to need time to integrate its oak, but the purity of fruit, quality of the tannins, and balance are all spot on. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Saint-Pierre bursts with baked blackberries, stewed plums and cassis, followed by hints of dried mint, chocolate box and tapenade with a waft of pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with impressive freshness and ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the energetic black fruits, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, aging for around 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol is 13.3%. Drink 2026-2047. 94-96 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, RobertParker.com------"A firm, very structured wine from here, with intense tannins that are very polished and long. Pure fruit. One of the best in a long time. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 3 cases | Château Saintayme | 75cl | £130 per case of 12 | Château Saintayme 2020 / 3 cases / 75cl £130 per case of 12 |
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| RED | 2020 | 3 cases | Château Smith Haut Lafitte | 75cl | £530 per case of 6 | Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2020 / 3 cases / 75cl £530 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2020 | 6 cases | Château Tour Saint Christophe | 75cl | £276 per case of 12 | Château Tour Saint Christophe 2020 / 6 cases / 75cl £276 per case of 12 |
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Tasting Notes"Clean and precisely-spliced black fruits, austerity in the tannins and a mocha, grilled coffee bean edging through the finish. Good quality and well balanced, intense to the point of slightly bitter on the final moments. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040. 93 points" Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine------"Full-bodied and creamy with lots of spice and walnut character. Lovely softness and purity. Black fruit at the end. Very fine tannins. Well-integrated. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com------"A wine I continue to buy in every vintage, the 2020 Château Tour Saint-Christophe looks to be another no-brainer for the Saint-Emilion lovers out there. Coming from a gorgeous, terraced vineyard on the eastern side of the appellation and based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it has a perfumed, elegant, pure style in its darker cherry and cassis fruits as well as classic cedarwood, earth, and forest floor aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and just beautiful on the palate, with terrifically integrated acidity and tannins, it’s going to round into form nicely with just short-term bottle age and have two decades of prime drinking. This wine is still resting in 40% new French oak and has an alcohol of 14.7% with a pH of 3.6. 93-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com |
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| RED | 2020 | 2 cases | Domaine de Cambes | 75cl | £185 per case of 6 | Domaine de Cambes 2020 / 2 cases / 75cl £185 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Ripe, rich and concentrated, the fruit on the edge of confit. Little evidence of the oak at present but a light, grainy, tannic frame. Voluptuous and gourmand as always. 16 points" jancisrobinson.com (JL) |
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| RED | 2020 | 1 case | Vieux Château Certan | 75cl | £1,195 per case of 6 | Vieux Château Certan 2020 / 1 case / 75cl £1,195 per case of 6 |
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