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 had a nice, not too ripe fruit core with dark red berries at the core. Additional layers of minerality and herbs. This was a bit tannic and not as elegant as I hoped for but maybe time will help here to bring it all together. 91pts.
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In contention as one of the top vintages produced here, the wine is strong on its floral characteristics. Once past the opening bouquet of white flowers and dried roses you find plums, black cherries, black raspberries, mint and cigar wrapper nuances. The palate provides a lush, opulent, as well as vibrant, energetic backdrop for its wealth of deep red fruits and oceanic influences. The finish has a touch of salty chalk that adds complexity to its wealth of silky, ripe, red fruits. Drink from 2025-2050.
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At the UGC Chicago. Strong fruit fragrance, moderate fruit flavor with some oak, long aftertaste which is a strength of this wine. Quite enjoyable now, should age & fill out nicely with time.
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(55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Alkohol) Top Nase, floral, verspielt, rote und dunkle Früchte, Gewürze, Minze, ein Gedicht. Der Gaumen ist kraftvoll und präzis, sehr frisch, ungemein feinkörniges Tannin, sensationelle Länge im Abgang. Das hat Klasse. 2026-2045+ (Verkostet am 8. November 2022 in Zürich) www.vvwine.ch
At a tasting of recently bottled 2020s. Glorious complex nose. Medium bodied with just enough acidity to keep the palate fresh. Very long and persistent finish. One of the best wines of the evening yet not one of the more expensive. Relatively good QPR.
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Arvi Bordeaux 2020 Arrivage (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Bordeaux 2020 Arrivage tasting. Key observations: 1/ Tannins were generally soft and well-integrated, but still left room for structure, 2/ fruit generally ripe and well-defined, no over-extraction, 3/ all appellation were showing great, but if I had to pick out then it would be Paulliac, 4/ top wines were Petit Village (completely unexpected, 97) and Lynch Bages (96).
Tasting note: Came across a bit reductive at first, red cherry and raspberry fruit in a very sweet style but showing little else at this point. Palate was fresh and juicy with hardly perceptible tannin. An enjoyable but simple wine that should be early-drinking – but not sure about the aging potential.
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Im Jahrgangskontext erstaunlich frisch und sehr zurückhaltend. Reduktion. Saftige Kirschfrucht mit agiler Saüureader. Schlank, agil, mit viel Potenzial. Lang, mit salzigen Gerbstoffen. Ein sehr feiner Jahrgang mit toller Frische deutet sich an. 95-97
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95-97 vvPunkte (55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Alkohol) Komplex, verspielte Nase, rote und dunkle Beeren, Oregano, Thymian, Minze, dazu florale Noten, zum Eintauchen. Im Auftakt gradlinig und klar wie ein Bergbach, dieser Wein vereint Kraft und Frische, die Frucht wirkt ungemein knackig, die Säure belebt, hier ist allen an seinem Platz, nichts dominiert aber alles ist da. Ein Gesamtkunstwerk, das in diesem Jahr noch eleganter ist als in früheren Jahren. Sensationelle Länge. Grossartig! 2026-2045+ (April/Mai 2021) vvWine.ch
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The strong floral character is what you initially notice. From there you find mint, herbs, spice, smoke, tobacco and red berries on the nose. The wine shows a beautiful, vibrancy, with silky, elegant, flamboyant textures on the palate with a touch of chalk in the endnote. The wine lingers with all its ripe, sweet, plums and cherries in the finish. Blending 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Franc, if you can wait at least 5-7 years before pulling a cork, this is going to offer superb drinking for 20-25 years after that. 95-97
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Near opaque Fresh, well-defined nose of blue fruit – showing great density with a cool, measured and restrained feel. Clean.
Good density attack and a creamy quality, some juice and perhaps lower levels of acidity. Fresh tannin, sandy touches, very fine tannins. Seriously put together, excellent intensity with great elegance, and an opened, relaxed savoury character.
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2020 First Look: The 2020 Canon la Gaffeliere is a lovely wine, offering a lush, fruity palate accented by thyme and leather. A bit warm, but not with the problematic heat of some recent vintages. Very good persistence on the finish. 91-93
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Complex herby, floral and fruity nose – a mix of blue/black and red fruits, some spice and game. Good weight and fruity intensity, this is fleshy, silky and voluminous, notably long with very fine-grained tannins. Stylish.
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12/20/2023 - d.f.c Likes this wine: 93 Points
A reasonably good and well balanced St. Emilion wine. Smooth to the taste and finishes well.
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4/23/2023 - Cailles wrote: 91 Points
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 had a nice, not too ripe fruit core with dark red berries at the core. Additional layers of minerality and herbs. This was a bit tannic and not as elegant as I hoped for but maybe time will help here to bring it all together. 91pts.
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3/21/2023 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
In contention as one of the top vintages produced here, the wine is strong on its floral characteristics. Once past the opening bouquet of white flowers and dried roses you find plums, black cherries, black raspberries, mint and cigar wrapper nuances. The palate provides a lush, opulent, as well as vibrant, energetic backdrop for its wealth of deep red fruits and oceanic influences. The finish has a touch of salty chalk that adds complexity to its wealth of silky, ripe, red fruits. Drink from 2025-2050.
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3/6/2023 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
UGCB tasting Bordeaux 2020 Walkaround tasting so in general just short notes (Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam.): Juicy red and dark berries, good acidity and round, sticky tannin. 93+
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3/6/2023 - Mikaelbe wrote:
Darker profile, plums, cherries, herbal, long finish with sapidity. Quite tannic still.
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3/6/2023 - FransS wrote: 92 Points
The 2020 vintage UGCB tasting in Amsterdam 03/06/2023 (Amsterdam): Friendly spiced, nice concentration in the midtaste, but I miss a kind of expressive style; I will, however, give this wine the benefit of the doubt; more time is necessary.
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1/25/2023 - Cellarmauz Likes this wine: 92 Points
At the UGC Chicago. Strong fruit fragrance, moderate fruit flavor with some oak, long aftertaste which is a strength of this wine. Quite enjoyable now, should age & fill out nicely with time.
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1/9/2023 - vvWine.ch wrote: 96 Points
(55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Alkohol) Top Nase, floral, verspielt, rote und dunkle Früchte, Gewürze, Minze, ein Gedicht. Der Gaumen ist kraftvoll und präzis, sehr frisch, ungemein feinkörniges Tannin, sensationelle Länge im Abgang. Das hat Klasse. 2026-2045+ (Verkostet am 8. November 2022 in Zürich) www.vvwine.ch
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11/12/2022 - wineforth Likes this wine: 96 Points
At a tasting of recently bottled 2020s. Glorious complex nose. Medium bodied with just enough acidity to keep the palate fresh. Very long and persistent finish. One of the best wines of the evening yet not one of the more expensive. Relatively good QPR.
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11/8/2022 - sirpat00 wrote: 92 Points
Arvi Bordeaux 2020 Arrivage (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Bordeaux 2020 Arrivage tasting. Key observations: 1/ Tannins were generally soft and well-integrated, but still left room for structure, 2/ fruit generally ripe and well-defined, no over-extraction, 3/ all appellation were showing great, but if I had to pick out then it would be Paulliac, 4/ top wines were Petit Village (completely unexpected, 97) and Lynch Bages (96).
Tasting note:
Came across a bit reductive at first, red cherry and raspberry fruit in a very sweet style but showing little else at this point. Palate was fresh and juicy with hardly perceptible tannin. An enjoyable but simple wine that should be early-drinking – but not sure about the aging potential.
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6/21/2021 - Mali Likes this wine: 96 Points
Im Jahrgangskontext erstaunlich frisch und sehr zurückhaltend. Reduktion. Saftige Kirschfrucht mit agiler Saüureader. Schlank, agil, mit viel Potenzial. Lang, mit salzigen Gerbstoffen. Ein sehr feiner Jahrgang mit toller Frische deutet sich an. 95-97
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5/22/2021 - vvWine.ch wrote: 96 Points
95-97 vvPunkte (55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Alkohol) Komplex, verspielte Nase, rote und dunkle Beeren, Oregano, Thymian, Minze, dazu florale Noten, zum Eintauchen. Im Auftakt gradlinig und klar wie ein Bergbach, dieser Wein vereint Kraft und Frische, die Frucht wirkt ungemein knackig, die Säure belebt, hier ist allen an seinem Platz, nichts dominiert aber alles ist da. Ein Gesamtkunstwerk, das in diesem Jahr noch eleganter ist als in früheren Jahren. Sensationelle Länge. Grossartig! 2026-2045+ (April/Mai 2021) vvWine.ch
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5/20/2021 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
The strong floral character is what you initially notice. From there you find mint, herbs, spice, smoke, tobacco and red berries on the nose. The wine shows a beautiful, vibrancy, with silky, elegant, flamboyant textures on the palate with a touch of chalk in the endnote. The wine lingers with all its ripe, sweet, plums and cherries in the finish. Blending 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Franc, if you can wait at least 5-7 years before pulling a cork, this is going to offer superb drinking for 20-25 years after that. 95-97
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5/8/2021 - Shrewsram Likes this wine: 93 Points
Near opaque
Fresh, well-defined nose of blue fruit – showing great density with a cool, measured and restrained feel. Clean.
Good density attack and a creamy quality, some juice and perhaps lower levels of acidity. Fresh tannin, sandy touches, very fine tannins. Seriously put together, excellent intensity with great elegance, and an opened, relaxed savoury character.
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5/7/2021 - MJP Hou TX wrote:
This might have been WOTN for me along with the 2020 Clinet & Poesia. Great showing of 2020 samples and the right bank showed well early.
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4/28/2021 - englishman's claret wrote:
2020 First Look: The 2020 Canon la Gaffeliere is a lovely wine, offering a lush, fruity palate accented by thyme and leather. A bit warm, but not with the problematic heat of some recent vintages. Very good persistence on the finish. 91-93
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4/22/2021 - Shrewsram Likes this wine: 92 Points
Complex herby, floral and fruity nose – a mix of blue/black and red fruits, some spice and game.
Good weight and fruity intensity, this is fleshy, silky and voluminous, notably long with very fine-grained tannins. Stylish.
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