NOTABLE BARREL SAMPLES OF 2020 RED BORDEAUX

Hong Kong SAR China
Tasted Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - Tuesday, May 4, 2021 by WineTally with 155 views

Introduction

Here is a sample of remarkable entries tasted at James Suckling's
#BordeauxConfidential #EnPrimeur2020 in Hong Kong, Apr 27-May 4, 2021.

Flight 1 - St. Estèphe (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COfyWietUn0/

  • 2020 Château Phélan Ségur

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    (5/4/2021)

    54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
    on 70 ha of gravel, sand and clay based soils on the ridges and plateaus of
    Saint-Estèphe with vines of average age 35 yrs at 10,000/ha.
    ~12-day fermentation by parcel in 47 stainless steel vats (40-220 HL).
    ~20-day maceration. Malolactic in barriques.
    Barrel sample presented en primeur in April.
    Wine to age 16-18 months in French oak barrels (~50% new).
    Proprietor (since 2018): Philippe Van de Vyvere
    Managing director : Véronique Dausse
    Vineyard Manager: Luc Peyronnet
    Winemaker : Fabrice Bacquey
    Consulting Enologists : Michel Rolland, Julien Viaud

    Barrel sample drawn on 4/16/2021

    A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby. Classic Bordeaux blend.
    B(alance)=3: Distinctive, tight-knit components in harmony.
    C(omplexity)=2: Cassis, lead pencil, tobacco, earth.
    D(epth)=2: Luscious mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Perfect balance and enticing depth.

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Flight 2 - Pauillac (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COnce8-tap2/

  • 2020 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    (5/4/2021)

    76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot
    from deep gravel, sand clay soils on the Pauillac plateau with old vines
    of average age 65 yrs planted at 9,000/ha.
    Fermentation by parcel and by varietal in 44 tanks (64-220HL) plus
    8 oak vats (80-135HL) specifically for Merlot.
    Malolactic in tank. Aging in ~80% new oak barrels for ~18 months.
    Barrel sample presented in April 2021.
    Ownership: AXA Millesimes (since 1987)
    Managing Director: Christian Seely (since 2000)

    A(ccuray)=2: Med deep ruby/red. Classic Pauillac bouquet.
    B(alance)=3: Refined components with firm structure.
    C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, spices, cedar, tobacco.
    D(epth)=2: Enticing mouthfeel. Full palate and hi-tone tapering finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Patience please.

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Flight 3 - St. Julien (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COnKHW1NPw8/

  • 2020 Château Léoville Poyferré

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    (5/4/2021)

    64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc,
    2% Petit Verdot
    from terraces of Mindel gravel and sandy-clay subsoil and
    vines of average age 38 yrs.
    Manual harvest. Double sorting, manual and optical.
    Vinification by lot in 57 stainless steel tanks.
    ~1-week cold maceration.
    Barrel sample presented in April 2021.
    Managing Director: Sara Lecompte Cuvelier (succeeding Didier Cuvelier in 2018)
    Enologist: Isabelle Davin
    Cellar Master: Didier Thomann
    Vineyard Manager: Bruno Clenet

    A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Rich ripe Cab blend.
    B(alance)=3: Ripe fruit with polished structure.
    C(omplexity)=2: Pronounced cassis, red fruits, spices, herbs.
    D(epth)=2: Lifted mouthfeel. Even palate and dry green finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Enticing and approachable.

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Flight 4 - Margaux (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COm46FZtmTl/

  • 2020 Château d'Issan

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    (5/4/2021)

    55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc,
    2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
    from mounds of gravel and 15-metre (50-foot) high alluvial hills
    in the middle of Margaux.
    Manual harvest. Vinified by lot in gravity fed stainless steel vats.
    50% new oak barrels.
    Barrel sample drawn on 4/16/2021.
    13.29% Abv.
    Proprietors: The Cruse (Emmanuel, 3rd gen) and Lorenzetti
    (Francoise & Jacky who also own Château Pedesclaux) Families
    Consulting Enologist: Eric Boissenot

    A(ccuray)=2: Med deep ruby/red. Fragrant, floral Margaux.
    B(alance)=3: Distinctive fruit with polished structure.
    C(omplexity)=2: Dark and red fruits, spices, violet, mineral.
    D(epth)=2: Plush mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Sumptuous elegance.

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Flight 5 - Margaux (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COm9Euqtegq/

  • 2020 Château Brane-Cantenac

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    (4/27/2021)

    70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc,
    1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenère
    from 75 ha estate with gravelly and mineral rich soils on an illustrious plateau
    with vines of average age 37 yrs.
    Vinification in oak casks.
    Barrel sample presented in April 2021.
    Proprietor/Winemaker: Henri Lurton

    A(ccuray)=2: Med deep ruby/red. Plush, concentrated Cab blend.
    B(alance)=3: Ripe fruit with firm extensive structure.
    C(omplexity)=2: Dark and red fruits, spices, herbs.
    D(epth)=2: Cool mouthfeel. Even palate and lingering finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Steadfast and savory.

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Flight 6 - Pessac-Léognan (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COnZCQNtAEI/

  • 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    (5/4/2021)

    Planting: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot
    from sand and limestone under deep gravel top soil on gentle slopes
    and vines of average age 38 yrs planted at 7,500-9,000/ha
    organically and sustainably farmed.
    Partially whole cluster, whole berry fermented in 30 large, temperature-controlled
    oak vats (60-100 HL) with 100% gravity flow.
    Malolactic in barrels and vats.
    16-18 month aging in French oak barrels (~60% new) by on-site cooper.
    Barrel sample presented in April, 2021.
    Proprietors: Daniel and Florence Cathiard
    Enologist/Managing Director: Fabien Teitgen
    Cellarmaster: Yann Laudeho
    Consultants: Michel Rolland, Stephane Derenoncourt

    A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Classic Cab/Merlot blend.
    B(alance)=3: Elegant components with firm structure of fine grain tannin.
    C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, spices, toast, tobacco.
    D(epth)=2: Textured mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Refined and robust.

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Flight 7 - St. Émilion (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COmwRWrt_92/

  • 2020 Château Croix de Labrie

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    (5/4/2021)

    92% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
    from 4 ha of clayey limestone soils and vines of average age 50 yrs.
    100% organic and on conversion to biodynamics. All work by hand.
    Manual harvest with several tries. De-stemmed.
    Screened on vibrating table densimetrically and manually.
    Vinification by plot. Malolactic in new French oak barrels.
    Barrel sample presented in April 2021.
    Proprietors: Axelle and Pierre Courdurié
    Consultants: Hubert de Boüard and Jean-Philippe Fort

    A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Focused, intense Merlot blend.
    B(alance)=3: Distinctive fruit with polished structure.
    C(omplexity)=2: Dark and red fruits, herbs, mint, mineral.
    D(epth)=2: Silky mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Early accessibility yet long aging potential.

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Flight 8 - St. Émilion (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COmyb-FN3o7/

  • 2020 Château Valandraud

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    (4/27/2021)

    90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
    from the 8.88 ha estate on the clayey-limestone hillsides of Saint Etienne de Lisse.
    Manual harvest. Field + densimetric sorting.
    Fermentation in stainless steel, wooden and concrete tanks.
    Manual pigeage. 3-week maceration. Malolactic in barrels.
    Barrel sample presented in April 2021.
    Proprietors: Jean Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud (hence Val-Andraud),
    the world famous and original "garagists" whose 0.6 ha in 1991
    ascended to Saint Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé in 2012.
    Enologist/Cellarmaster: Rémi Dalmasso
    Vineyard Manager: Christophe Lardière

    A(ccuracy)=2: Deep ruby. Plummy, fragrant Merlot blend.
    B(alance)=3: Ripe fruit with firm acid and tannic structure.
    C(omplexity)=3: Dark berries/fruits, cocoa, licorice, mineral.
    D(epth)=2: Opulent mouthfeel. Remarkable length and finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,3,2] = 10/10

    Impressive depth with all components in harmony.

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Flight 9 - Pomerol (1 Note)

https://www.instagram.com/p/COnNNUqNlgw/

  • 2020 Château du Domaine de L'Eglise

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    (5/4/2021)

    96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc
    from 10 ha of gravel and sand with clay soil with vines of average age
    40 yrs planted at 7,200/ha.
    Vinified in four, short, 100 HL, temperature controlled, stainless steel vats.
    Barrel sample presented in April, 2021.
    Ownership: Part of the Borie Manou Group.
    Président Directeur Général: Philippe Castéja

    A(ccuray)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Plummy Merlot blend.
    B(alance)=3: Ripe fruit with polished structure.
    C(omplexity)=2: Dark fruits, spices, herbs.
    D(epth)=2: Supple mouthfeel. Full, even palate and long finish.

    Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2]= 9/10

    Round and redolent.

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