Community Tasting Note

Cailles wrote:

Sunday, April 23, 2023 - Bordeaux 2020 - 10 red & 1 sweet wine: Arrivage tasting by a merchant. Be aware, the sample size is quite small but here are a few observations: 1) Overall quality: This is another good vintage in Bordeaux but clearly not on the same level as 2016 or 2019. 2) Ripeness: What I tasted showed less ripe than 2015/18/19. Most wine show fresh dark and blue fruit, the two right banks showed well behaved too. None of the wines showed alcohol heat (a problem in many 18s and some 15s). Overall, I expected more ripeness but maybe the wineries I sampled all just got the picking date right. 3) Complexity: 2020 will not reach the heights of 2016 and for me is also a step or two behind 2015/18/19. 4) Precision: The precision was quite good, although not on the level of the 2016s. 5) Structural frame: The tannins are ripe but have more edges than in 16/18/19 and will need time to soften, the acidity is high and well-integrated, the texture is not as airy as in 2016 but a step above 15/18 and maybe even 19. Overall, the wines showed quite harmonious but without the magical balance of the 2016s (and the best 15/18/19s I had).

TN: Brief impressions only. This was quite perplexing: while it showed great, it didn’t seem like a classic Leoville Barton. There was this strong black fruit core which showed more dominant and riper than you usually would expect for this wine. While it is in no way overripe, it’s probably still not something Barton lovers would expect and appreciate. Other than that, the wine showed impressive minerality. This will need time to soften as the tannins showed a tiny bit grippy but not something bottle age shouldn’t be able to solve. Good freshness as always. A good vintage for Barton and among the best wines today. 94+pts today, some upside in the future.

Post a Comment / View Cailles's profile
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (5,439 views)