Bordeaux 2020

Chateau La Conseillante 

Perfumed and floral, including violets. Ripe, sensual blueberry/cherry fruit. Silky, seamless tannins. Lots of freshness to boot. Balance and finesse in the same sip.  La Conseillante has returned to great form (provided it does not spend too much time in oak after this). 

Chateau Pichon Baron 

Whiff of violets. Lifted blue fruit. Intensity, persistence and length. Very fresh. Very balanced. The friendly rivalry with across the road Pichon Comtesse continues. Both are winners. So too lovers of great Bordeaux.

Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 

The blackcurrant/blackberry fruit and tannins are rich, intense and persistent. Great freshness too which, when obvious, gives an indication of how truly rich the fruit is in the first place. Cabernet Sauvignon checks in at 77%, 17% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.

Chateau Troplong Mondot  

Violets, figs, deep blueberry/curranty/purple fruit. The suave entry of rich, ripe, succulent fruit is held by equally opulent tannins which are loaded with freshness. About full-bodied. Very harmonious.  A Saint-Emilion not afraid to be fruity for all the right reasons.

Chateau Figeac

Floral, including violets. Bright, elegant blue fruit. Lots of freshness. The tannins are just a touch edgy on the finish. Maybe it’s the jet lag.

 

Chateau Nenin

Ripe, rich deep blue fruit and dark cherries. The supporting tannins are equally rich, including from skin and pips although the vanilla oak is a bit in front at the moment. Texture with freshness. Very high proportion of Cabernet Franc at 32%, with the Merlot at 68%.

Chateau Prieure-Lichine

Deep, dense blue and curranty fruit. Rich, ripe tannins that are not overworked and in balance with the fruit. Prieure-Lichine has been inconsistent over the years but this marks a return to form (provided the ageing in oak is not too long).

Reserve de la Comtesse

Floral, including violets.  Sweetness of red/blue fruit and a touch of vanilla. Elegant, silky tannins. High proportion of 10% Petit Verdot, 47% Merlot and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. The quality of a Grand Vin.

Confidences de Priure Lichine

The Second Wine of Prieure-Lichine shows capsicum/blueberry fruit delivered by soft, suave tannins.  Balanced, medium-plus-ish bodied.

 

Chateau Phelan Segur

Vanilla on the nose. Extraction on the palate. Tough, tart and austere. Disappointing.

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