2020 Saint-Emilion

2020 Primeur Saint-Emilion 

Saint-Emilion is showing way more support for my work with 122 wines tasted, that is about 60% of what I manage to taste in Bordeaux the best years. And what fun it has been tasting these! One of the star communes this vintage. Some say it is a merlot vintage, I actually think it is especially a limestone vintage, and maybe also a clay vintage, at least the grape varieties really needed water access. If it was a variety sticking out for me in 2020, I would say Cabernet Franc. So many seductive violets smelling wines have I never encountered. There are so many best or amongst best ever efforts in Saint-Emilion that this really need a deep read. Fascinating wines you may not even have heard of! Canon and Figeac are so seductive it was difficult not to drink the samples, but there are many, many more. 

2020 Château Adagusta

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries and anise nose, lighter. Fresh acidity m ripe tannins, dark fruits and spices, juicy, good length. 87-89

2020 Château Alverne

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, cassis, spices and vanilla nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and intense, long. 91-93

2020 Château Angelus

APR 21 60M 40CF Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, floral, scented, violets, layered and detailed nose, quite scented. The three large 30HL fudre for Cabernet Franc introduced in 2018 really seems to make Cabernet Franc way more scented than earlier vintages of Angelus. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, intense, dark fruits, blackberries, detailed, liquorice layer to it, detailed and long. Ca PH 3,5 to 3,65 and 97-99

2020 Carillon d’Angelus

APR 21 90M 10CF Ruby. Floral, scented, blackberries, detailed, fragrant nose, blueberries and light vanilla notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, structured, some coffee, more power on the palate than the refined and scented nose suggests, long finish. Ca PH 3,6 and 14,5% alcohol. About 60% new wood and 40% one year old barrique. 92-94

2020 No 3 d’Angelus

APR 21 85M 10CF 5CS Ruby. Blackberries, anise, liquorice, vanilla, detailed nose. Floral and scented. Very faint rosemary character. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fine grained, dark fruits, anise, spices, some liquorice, long finish. Ca PH 3,5 and 14% alcohol, one year old wood and stainless steel. 91-93

2020 L’Archange

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, light coffee, vanilla, somewhat scented and faint minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, fairly detailed, long finish. 89-91

2020 Château Badette

MAY 21 Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, fruit driven, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, some spices, anise, good length. Alcohol warmth in the finish. 89-91

2020 Château Balestard La Tonnelle

MAY 21 Ruby. Blueberries, fruit driven, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, somewhat high alcohol and coffee finish, good length. 88-90

2020 Château Barrail Saint André 

MAY 21 Ruby. Rich nose, spices and vanilla nose, herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, herbs, anise, coffee, rustic, good length. 85-87

2020 Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse

JUN 21 Ruby. Blackberries and anise, spices, fruit driven, floral with a bit of air, violets, nuanced, minerals, touch of graphite, floral and precise nose. Truffles and coffee beans. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed, juicy, layered, elegant and nuanced yet powerful, spices, almost saline mineraly below, fascinating on many levels. Long. 97-99

2020 Château Bellefont-Belcier

APR 21 70M 25CF 5CS Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, high alcohol, some vanilla, juicy, long. 90-92

2020 Château Bellevue

MAY 21 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, fruit driven, nuanced, detailed nose, bright. Floral and elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, juicy, long finish. 92-94

2020 Château Berliquet

APR 21 69M 31CF Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, darkfruits, juicy, anise, blackberries, smooth body with some texture, long finish. 14,5% alcohol. 50% new wood. 91-93

2020 Château Bernateau

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, anise, some spices nose. Lightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, intense and nuanced, juicy and long. 89-91

2020 Château Bernateau La Belle Côte

MAY 21 100M Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, coffee. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, some spices, long finish. High alcohol (14,5). 89-91

2020 Château Bernateau Terrasses du Paradis

MAY 21 100CF Ruby. Scented, floral, bright nose, violets and blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed, elegant texture, nuanced, long. Elegant. 91-93

2020 Château Cadet-Bon

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices, floral and minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, detailed, elegant texture, nuanced and refined, long. 91-93

2020 Château Canon

APR 21 68M 32CF Ruby. Scented, detailed, layered, intense, nuanced and bright nose, minerals, some truffles, layered, floral, violets, gorgeous nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed, layered, nuanced, refreshing, smooth, stunning complexity, layers upon layers, a magnificent Canon! 14,5% alcohol, pH 3,53. 98-100

2020 Croix Canon

APR 21 65M 35CF Ruby. Blackberries and blueberries, nuanced, scented, layered and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, nuanced and layered, detailed, intense and long. A beautiful Croix Canon! 91-93

2020 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, spices, fruit driven nose, lightly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark and red fruits, juicy, textured, somewhat firmer, minerals, detaiked and layered, long finish. 94-96

2020 Château Cantenac 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some herbs, elegant texture, bit bitter, good length. 87-89

2020 Château Cantin

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices, scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, juicy, long. 89-91

2020 Château Cap de Mourlin

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice and detailed, long. 90-92

2020 Château Carteau Côtes Daugay 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some liquorice and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, some spices, fairly detailed, nuanced, long. 90-92

2020 Château Chauvin 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, juicy with texture, good length. 87-89

2020 Château Cheval Noir Cuvée le Fer

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, light vanilla nose, lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, elegant texture, lovely balance. 87-89

2020 Clos Badon

MAY 21 Ruby. Coffee, chocolate, truffles, vanilla, richer and denser nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and layered, long finish. 92-94

2020 Clos Fourtet

APR 21 90M 7CS 3CF Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, fruit driven, scented, floral, intense nose, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, dense and intense with lift, layered and long. Graphite minerals finish. 14,5 alcohol, pH of 3,6. 50% new wood, 48 % second vintage and 2% amphora. 95-97

2020 Clos les Grandes Versannes

MAY 21 Ruby. Scented, blueberries, anise, floral and fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, good length. 89-91

2020 Clos des Jacobins 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, coffee and vanilla nose, truffles. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, detailed, lovely lift to it, energetic, long finish. 93-95

2020 Clos de l’Oratoire

APR 21 Ruby. Scented, red fruits, anise, some spices, floral, minerals towards graphite. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, detailed and long. Some texture to it. 91-93

2020 Clos Saint-Vincent

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, floral, scented and detailed nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 88-90

2020 Château Clos de Sarpe

MAY 21 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose, faintly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, juicy, detailed and elegant, long. 90-92

2020 Château La Commanderie

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed and elegant texture, long. 91-93

2020 Château Côte de Baleau

APR 21 90M 10CF Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries, some spices, dense nose yet lifted. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries, anise and spices, long. 14,2 alcohol, pH 3.0. 91-93

2020 Château Coudert

MAY 21 Ruby. Blueberries, coffee, vanilla and spices nose. Light scented note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits fruits, juicy with texture, red berries, lovely energy to it, long. 89-91

2020 Couvent des Jacobins

APR 21 85M 10CF 5PV Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, fruit driven, nuanced and floral nose, light minerals note. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, energetic, dark fruits, minerals, layered and rich. 14,5% alcohol, 3,68 pH. 92-94

2020 Le Menut des Jacobins

APR 21 90M 10CF Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, scented, fruit driven nose with light spiciness. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blueberries, juicy. 14% alcohol. 89-91

2020 Château La Croizille 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy, seems to continue on the path of recent years with less brash wood, and it suits it very well. 89-91

2020 Château Croix Cardinale

APR 21 87M 13CF.Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, floral, fruit driven nose, layered and elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, dark fruits, anise, blackberries and elegant texture, long. Smooth! 14% alcohol and PH of 3,67. 89-91

2020 Château Croix de Labrie

Ruby. Blueberries, fruit driven, scented, floral, blackberries, roses, intense and deep nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, detailed, layered and intense, long finish. 94-96

2020 Château La Croix Younan

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, scented, some vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, vanilla, some spices, good length. 88-90

2020 Château Dassault

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, scented and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, elegant texture, long. 91-93

2020 Château Destieux

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries and vanilla, coffee and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, liquorice and spices, juicy, long. 90-92

2020 Château Faurie de Souchard 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 88-90

2020 Château de Ferrand

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, fairly detailed, some structure to it, lots of texture, long finish. 90-92

2020 Château Figeac

MAY 21 37M 32CF 31CS Ruby. Scented, minerals, floral, bright nose, detailed, lifted, layered, refined and nuanced nose, almost like a silky scarf caressing your chins while smelling it. Violets like you would not believe it! Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, silky, velvet, juicy, detailed, bright, transparent deep, incredible balance (13,9% alcohol), it just gives and gives, in small pockets of different flavours. The most intriguing Figeac to date. So effortless and yet so deep. A symphony of harmonies. And the finish lasts into the sunset. 98-100

2020 Château La Fleur d’Arthus

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, coffee and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits and coffee, good length. Some bitter notes in the finish. 86-88

2020 Château Fleur Cardinale

APR 21 77M 18CF 5CS Ruby. Scented, floral, blackberries and blueberries, fruit driven and pure nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed and quite bright, lovely harmony to it, long. 14,5% alcohol and PH of 3,57. Fleur Cardinale is confirming a new level with this vintage. 93-95

2020 Château Fombrauge

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, long finish. 91-93

2020 Château Fonroque 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, minerals, fruit driven, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy with fine grained texture, detailed and layered, long. 90-92

2020 Château Franc Bigaroux

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, blackberries, some red fruits, fairly detailed, long. 89-91

2020 Château Franc Le Maine

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, liquorice, long if narrower finish. 89-91

2020 Château Franc Pipeau 

MAY 21 Ruby. Fruit driven if lighter nose, vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, some herbs and anise, lighter bodied. Bit short. 87-89

2020 Château La Gaffelière

APR 21 Ruby. Blueberries, blackberries, anise, coffee, spices, fruit driven nose, intense and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, detailed, intense and long. 92-94

2020 Château Godeau

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven with spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, bit hollow with lots of wood. 86-88

2020 Château La Grace Dieu des Prieurs Art Russe

APR 21 80M 20CF Ruby. Vanilla, blackberries, anise, fruit driven, coffee and spices, some faint floral notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries and blueberries, fruit driven, detailed, long. 13,5% alcohol. 92-94

2020 Château La Grace Fonrazade

MAY 21 Ruby. Vanilla, blueberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, plums, bit boiled fruits, good length. 88-90

2020 Château La Grace Fonrazade blanc

MAY 21 Pale straw yellow. Peach and grapefruits nose, orange peel. Fresh acidity, lighter bodied, rounded, elegant texture, good length. 86-88

2020 Gracia

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some faint scented note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, fruit driven, elegant texture, a more elegant style of Gracia. 91-93

2020 Les Angelots de Gracia

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, some scented notes, blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, some spices, good length. 89-91

2020 Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy, some spices, good length. Some herbs. 88-90

2020 Château Grand Corbin

MAY 21 Ruby. Anise, spices, vanilla, intense of blackberries nose, rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, rich and intense yet control,ed and focused, long finish. 93-95

2020 Château Grand Corbin-Despagne

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, vanilla, spices, fruit driven nose. Detailed and layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, intense and long. 93-95

2020 Château Grand-Pontet

MAY 21 Ruby. Scented, floral, almost leaps out of the glass, nuanced and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, juicy, nuanced, detailed, lighter bodied, long. 91-93

2020 Château Les Grandes Murailles

APR 21 100M 6500 bottles made. Scented, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries and floral notes, some graphite notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, intense. 50% new wood. 14,5% alcohol. Some alcohol warmth. 92-94

2020 Château Haut-Brisson

APR 21 90M 10CF Ruby. Scented, blueberries, raspberries, anise, rich and dense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, juicy with texture, long finish. 13,8% alcohol. 91-93

2020 Château Larmande

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, scented and floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, juicy, detailed, some spices, good length. 89-91

2020 Château Laroque

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven, minerals, nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity l ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise and spices, firm structure, long finish. 92-94

2020 Château Laroze

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, floral and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed, minerals beneath, lovely use of wood, a very fine Laroze. 91-93

2020 Lynsolence

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, some spices, blueberries and vanilla, good length. 89-91

2020 Château Magrez Fombrauge 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, long but woody finish. 89-91

2020 Château Magrez Fombrauge blanc

MAY 21 Pale lemon yellow. Some grapefruits, vanilla, light spicy note nose. Fresh acidity, creamy, rounded, fruit driven, good length. 86-88

2020 Château Mangot

APR 21 75M 20CF 5CS Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise, blackberries and raspberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, fine texture, on the rich side, long finish. 90-92

2020 Château Mangot Todeschini Distique 13

APR 21 40CF 40M 20CS 12.000 bottles made. Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, faintly floral, blackberries and sun warm ripe raspberries nose, some liquorice and chocolate truffles. Fresh and subtle acidity, sweet dark fruits, ripe tannins, velvety and smooth, long finish with some alcohol warmth. 92-94

2020 Château Martinet

APR 21 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, floral, light vanilla note nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2020 Château La Marzelle

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, anise, spices, almost juicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices and liquorice, long finish. 90-92

2020 Château Prieuré La Marzelle

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, good length. 87-89

2020 Château Moine Vieux

MAY 21 Ruby. Scented, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fairly detailed, long. 89-91

2020 La Mondotte

APR 21 Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, anise, minerals, floral, layered and nuanced nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries, detailed and nuanced, refines, truffles, minerals beneath, long. Beautiful. 94-96

2020 Château Mondou

MAY 21 Ruby. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla and dark fruits nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, coffee and spices, good length. 88-90

2020 Château Montlabert

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed, long. 89-91

2020 Château Montlisse

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, fruit driven, anise, some spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and spices, juicy, good length. A bit of wood. 87-89

2020 Château Moulin du Cadet

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries and anise, some spices, liquorice nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, detailed with structure, long. 90-92

2020 Château du Paradis

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, good length. 88-90

2020 Château du Parc

MAY 21 Ruby. Anise, dark fruits and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, vanilla and spices, fruit driven, good length. 87-89

2020 Château Pas de L’Ane

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blueberries, juicy, long finish. 89-91

2020 Château Petit Faurie de Soutard

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, scented, intense and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, elegant texture, fairly rich, long finish. 90-92

2020 Château Petit Val

MAY 21 Ruby. Anise, blackberries and blueberries, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed, refreshing, elegant texture, good energy in it. 90-92

2020 Muse du Val

MAY 21 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, liquorice and blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, spices, liquorice, detailed and intense, long. 91-93

2020 Château Pierre 1er

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, r, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, good length. 87-89

2020 Château de Pressac

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruits, some spices, vanilla, chocolate, deep nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blackberries and spices, long finish. 91-93

2020 Château Tour de Pressac

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, nuanced, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, detailed, good length. 89-91

2020 Château Le Prieuré 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, detailed and intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, red berries, elegant texture, long finish. 90-92

2020 Château Quintus

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, some spices, fruit driven nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries and anise, dark fruits, lush yet lively, long finish. A very fine Quintus and it suits this more vigorous and almost mineral style it shows this vintage. 93-95

2020 Le Dragon de Quintus 

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, spices, vanilla, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, spices, detailed, creamy, some truffles and chocolate, long finish. Could turn out to be the best Le Dragon to date. 92-94

2020 Château La Reverence

APR 21 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, vanilla, spices, some floral high notes nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, lighter bodied, elegant fruit with a touch of alcohol warmth. 88-90

2020 Château Rol Valentin

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, richer nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, fairly detailed, long. 89-91

2020 Château Rolland-Maillet

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, darkfruits, anise, leaner bodied, faint paprika touch, good length. Lots of texture. 89-91

2020 Château Roylland

MAY 21 Off sample. 

2020 Saintayme

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, dark fruits, som vanilla, tighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, fruit driven, some texture to it, long finish. 91-93

2020 Château Sansonnet

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, quite a bit of wood but this year it handles it better than earlier vintages. Long. 90-92

2020 Château Soutard

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, scented, fruit driven, nuanced nose, some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice m detailed, some thyme in the finish. Long. 90-92

2020 Château Soutard-Cadet

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, detailed and long, this brighter expression suits it even if still some bitter wood notes. Long. 90-92

2020 Château Tauzinat l’Hermitage

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, some spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy and detailed, some alcohol warmth but fine fruit! 89-91

2020 Château Tertre Roteboeuf 

APR 21 Ruby. Lush dark fruity nose, intense, layered and deep nose, blackberries, cocoa, coffee and exotic spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy, lovely nerve going through its plush layers of rich fruits. Very long. 14,5 alcohol. 95-97

2020 Château Tour Baladoz

MAY 21 Ruby. Scented, blackberries, fruit driven nose, anise, a very bright and scented Tour Baladoz. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red and dark fruits, I hope it will not be overshadowed by wood with further ageing, the loveliest expression I have ever encountered from here. 92-94

2020 Château Tour Peyronneau Merlot

MAY 21 Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruits, anise, some spices nose. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, vanilla, sweet, somewhat high alcohol. 88-90

2020 Château Tour Peyronneau Cabernet Franc 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, floral nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, detailed, juicy, elegant texture, fairly nuanced, long. 90-92

2020 Château Tour Saint Christophe

APR 21 80M 20CF Deep ruby. Jammy blackberries and blueberries nose, some spices, fruit driven. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smooth, rounded, rich, fruit driven, sweet dark fruits, alcohol warmth. 14,7% alcohol. 89-91

2020 Château Trianon

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, fruit driven nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, vanilla and spices, fairly detailed, long. 91-93

2020 Château Trianon Kosher 

MAY 21 Ruby. Lifted, blackberries, anise, fruit driven, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, rich, anise, some spices, liquorice, long. Elegant. 90-92

2020 Château Trimoulet 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft, fruit driven but easy going. 86-88

2020 Château Valandraud 

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, truffles, vanilla, chocolate, vanilla, detailed, floral nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, detailed, liquorice, minerals, nuanced, dense yet bright, incredible depth, layered, long indeed. 97-99

2020 Virginie de Valandraud 

MAY 21 Ruby. Vanilla, coffee, dark fruits and spices nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, intense, coffee and chocolate, long finish. 91-93

2020 Domaine Virginie Thunevin

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, spices, dark fruits nose. Faintly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 87-89

2020 Valandraud Blanc

MAY 21 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, vanilla, some smoky notes nose. Tight. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, citrus, fruit driven, intense and layered, long. 92-94

2020 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc

MAY 21 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, pears, peach, light vanilla notes nose. Some grapefruits. Fresh acidity, apples, grapefruits and peach, some vanilla, touch smoky, good length. 88-90

2020 Vieux Chantecaille

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, and spices, lean finish. 86-88

2020 Château Villemaurine

MAY 21 Ruby. Scented, cedar, tobacco, blueberries, vanilla, graphite notes nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, detailed, minerals beneath, layered and nuanced, long. An excellent Villemaurine, could be their finest effort to date. 94-96

2020 Château La Vouté

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries and light spicy note, floral and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, spices, liquorice, detailed, lovely balance and energy, long. 91-93

2020 Château Yon-Figeac

MAY 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries and spices, detailed and intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, detailed, some bitter wood notes in the finish, long. 91-93