Bordeaux 2020 EP
2020 Petit-Figeac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
“Gorgeous aromatic complexity on the nose, floral and bramble fruits. Juicy and so appealing on the palate, the tannins are chalky and fruity at the same time with a beautiful density and... liveliness. Lovely precision on the mid-palate, fruit forward, open, expressive and vibrant with so much freshness shining out of the glass. A joyful expression with mouthwateringly pure strawberry, redcurrant, raspberry and red cherry given structure and frame by touches of oak. I love the lick of slate on the finish with the minerality putting this squarely in St-Emilion. A lovely introduction to Figeac with its own personality. You can drink this now, but has potential to age. Keep a bottle to open when anyone comes over, this will impress!” 94 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£216 / Case£36 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
"The 2020 Palmer, which was matured in 65% new oak, possesses one of the most perfumed bouquets of the vintage with entrancing, seductive scents of black cherries, wild strawberry, iodine and crushed... violets, all beautifully delineated (as per usual). The palate is medium-bodied with fine but quite firm tannins, lending this Palmer more backbone than presupposed. Blackberry, graphite and touches of liquorice develop with aeration that build towards an assertive, pencil box-tinged finish that nods towards Pauillac. This is a Palmer destined for long-term ageing, so readers should have a cool damp cellar handy. It is a serious Palmer, very different from the previous two vintages, not a mix of the two, but content in just being itself." 96-98 pts. Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£1,300 / Case£216.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Duhart-Milon 4eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
A lovely earthiness with nuances of cigar and tobacco leaf, forest floor, pepper corn and sweet red currant. Medium-bodied, elegant, silky and fresh, with a beautiful symmetry and balance, along with... freshness, length and purity in the fruits, this is a top vintage for the chateau. 2020 Duhart-Milon is a blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot, and the first vintage made in the new cellars, which for the first time allow for parcel by parcel vinification.
£342 / Case£57 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Highest percentage yet of Cabernet in the blend. Fruit-driven and structured. Plenty of drive from the word go. Builds on the... palate in persistent fashion, the refined tannins giving a long linear flow. Lovely fruit. Delicious now but has ageing potential." 17.5 pts., James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
£347.50 / Case£57.92 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Montlandrie, Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux 6x75cl
Here, Castillon- Côtes-de- Bordeaux punches well above its weight, expressing an opulence and concentration of merlot fruit directly from a grade of limestone and clay to rival some of the best... terroir in Saint-Emilion. The 2020 is a blend of 75% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon and aged in 40% new oak for 14 months and represents one of the best combinations of quality and price we’ve seen in the 2020 en primeur campaign.
£90.50 / Case£15.08 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Haut-Brion, Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 3x75cl
"A blend of 71.4% Sauvignon Blanc and 28.6% Semillon, harvested 20th to 27th August and with an alcohol of 13.9%, the 2020 Haut-Brion Blanc slowly unfurls to reveal notes of fresh pears, spiced apple... slices, orange zest and lemongrass, plus touches of wet pebbles, dillseed and baking bread. The medium-bodied palate wears its lightly spicy apple and pear layers with grace and sophistication, supported by a racy backbone and subtly creamy texture, finishing long and mineral laced. It will need time, but there's no doubting it's a knock-out." Drink 2028-2045. 95-97+ pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£1,800 / Case£600 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Echo de Lynch Bages, Pauillac 6x75cl
Produced from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the 2020 this superb value second wine of Chateau Lynch Bages has a firm spine of red fruit with an impressive freshness, intensity and lots of leafy cassis. Plenty of energy, here making for a good early drinking, affordable Pauillac.
£173 / Case£28.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau La Pointe, Pomerol 6x75cl
One of the best offers of en primeur ‘20 and indeed an estate well on the up. Such that when a particular vintage renders the Right Bank the best merlot it has seen in living memory, La Pointe is... doubtless worthy of serious consideration for your drinking collection. 76% merlot, 24% cabernet franc. The vintage 2020 is just magnificent in Pomerol generally and at Château La Pointe in particular. We had rarely seen such fantastic Merlots : beautifully ripe yet not heavy, the fruit was vibrant. As for the Cabernet Francs, they were simply perfect! The 2020 vintage combines the opulence of the 2018 and the elegance of the 2019.
£180 / Case£30 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Senejac, Haut-Medoc 6x75cl
"Gentle coffee smoke on the nose and spiced waves of flavour that add interest and complexity. This is a good wine with gentle acidities and enough autumnal berry fruit to carry it off. Juicy on the finish, this is another successful vintage at Sénéjac." 91 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£65 / Case£10.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Siran, Margaux 6x75cl
From one of Margaux's most iconic producer that has been family-run for over 160 years, the 2020 vintage is an assemblage of 47% merlot, 43% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc... grown on the classic gravel, clay and pebble soils that defines this exclusive terroir. The 2020 vintage is the third of three consecutive, exceptional vintages and one in which this estate once again finds its ultimate expression.
£123 / Case£20.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Yon-Figeac Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
A moreish, merlot-led blend from this delightful, 24-hectare estate in Saint-Emilion whose grand vin for us, at £200/case of 12 (en primeur), is an absolute steal on Right Bank class and value.... Château Yon Figeac will also give you the uncommon opportunity to savour petit verdot when grown on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, a varietal otherwise found more exclusively in the Médoc. In fact, with 6% of their overall hectarage, here is the largest coverage of the varietal in Saint-Emilion. The result? Freshness, spice, aromatic complexity and a superb compliment to the cuvée’s assemblage of merlot and cabernet franc that makes for an elegant, unique, everyday-drinking St-Emilion claret that is hugely gratifying.
£100 / Case£16.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"Composed of 54% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, to be aged for around 16 months in French oak barriques, 45% new, the 2020 Ormes de Pez has an alcohol of... 13.17%, a pH of 3.69 and an IPT of 79. Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote and Morello cherries, plus hints of graphite, wild mushrooms and sautéed herbs. The medium-bodied palate delivers plenty of herbs-laced black fruits with a pleasant chewiness to the texture and lovely freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note." 90-92 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£112.50 / Case£18.75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau D’Aiguilhe, Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux 6x75cl
"Violet reflections, great clarity of colour and immediate whoosh of salinity through the redcurrant fruits. Powerful and focused with bright berry flavours, it practically defines the term crunchy... fruit, then softens to show creamier black cherry purée as it relaxes in the glass. Really a very tasty d'Aiguilhe from Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg. Extremely moreish. Harvest September 17 – 28, 30% new oak." 93 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£72.50 / Case£12.08 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x150cl
"The 2020 Batailley is quintessential Pauillac on the nose of very focused black fruit infused with cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins and a fine bead of... acidity. Classic in style, this is lightly spiced, showing impressive depth toward the finish. This estate has enjoyed a good run of form in recent years and this 2020 continues that trend. If you love the style of Batailley, you will love this." 93-95 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£175 / Case£58.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Saint-Pierre 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"This is excellent, really the most gorgeous balance of power, with dark blueberry juicy fruits and lots of liquorice. Excellent balance and a seductive overall frame. Great stuff - the tannins are pretty fierce though, needs time, will reward ageing." 94 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£231 / Case£38.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau d’Issan 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
From one of the Left Bank's oldest properties dating back to the 12th-century and now run by the Lorenzetti family and located within a kilometre of the Chateau Margaux itself. Subtle fragrances and... moreish fruit in the 2020 d'Issan, and a third of three consecutive, stellar vintages and again an absolutely expression of Margaux terroir. Precision and elegance here combine for a an intensity of flavour defined by harmonious tannins that gives way to a long, generous finish.
£254 / Case£42.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Haut-Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot aging in French oak barriques, 60% new, the 2020 Haut-Batailley weighs in with 13.6% alcohol, a pH of 3.85 and an IPT of 81. Deep purple-black in... color, it opens with seducing, beautifully pure notes of blackcurrant jelly, juicy blackberries and warm plums, plus hints of chocolate mint, lilacs and forest floor with a touch of ground cloves. The refreshing, medium-bodied palate gives a great burst of crunchy black berries, framed by finely grained tannins, finishing with a minty lift." 92-94 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertpartker.com
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Duhart-Milon 4eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
A lovely earthiness with nuances of cigar and tobacco leaf, forest floor, pepper corn and sweet red currant. Medium-bodied, elegant, silky and fresh, with a beautiful symmetry and balance, along with... freshness, length and purity in the fruits, this is a top vintage for the chateau. 2020 Duhart-Milon is a blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot, and the first vintage made in the new cellars, which for the first time allow for parcel by parcel vinification.
£171 / Case£57 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
Purity and precision have been the hallmarks of this estate under François-Xavier Borie’s stewardship, and the 2020 is no exception. Expressive, delicate yet beguilingly layered and concentrated... on the nose, it follows on the palate with impressive concentration and power, superb depth of juicy black fruit and oh-so-smooth, fruit-coated grippy tannins bringing pinpoint-perfect balance and structure to the whole. The lively acidity brings lifted red fruit notes and carries through on the long finish. Class shines through here, and it is almost surprisingly moreish already at this early stage – though the structure will see it through for many, many years to come.
£152 / Case£50.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau La Lagune 3eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc 6x75cl
"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 La Lagune strides confidently out of the glass with bold, fantastically pure black fruit notes of crushed black plums, ripe blackcurrants and juicy blackberries,... plus hints of tar, dried Provence herbs, star anise and smoked meats, with a hint of black truffles. The medium-bodied palate delivers tightly wound, bright, crunchy black fruits with plenty of freshness and an approachable, grainy texture, finishing long with loads of earthy and herbal sparks." 92-94 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£162 / Case£27 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Tour Saint Christophe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
Another top performance in the 2020 from this St-Emilion GC that can't help but get better with each vintage. Here is a merlot-led Right Bank claret of deep garnet-purple in color with powerful... scents of baked blackberries, stewed black plums and boysenberries bounding out of the glass, Then cedar, mocha, tar and lifted wafts of liquorice and cardamom. A rich, full-bodied palate densely packed with juicy black fruits, supported by velvety tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and luxuriously.
£138 / Case£23 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Moulin Saint-Georges, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"So full of deeply-drawn berry fruit, fresh and juicy with touches of liquorice bud and rosemary, thirst quenching and yet thirst inducing in that amazing way that limestone can both refresh and make... you thirst for more at the same time. An excellent Moulin St Georges, and such a step up from the more sandy soils that you find at Fonbel and the two Simard estates in this year's range of Vauthier-owned wines that this alone can help you understand how to navigate 2020." 94 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£135 / Case£22.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Angludet, Margaux 6x75cl
Always an expressive, typically floral style of Margaux, in 2020 Angludet is impressively forward, with a gorgeous fruit core blending cassis and blueberries in a velvet-lined texture, finishing with... explosive notes of Asian spices. This is such a seductive yet elegant Angludet, one of the very best I have tasted and very much a success in this vintage.
£137 / Case£22.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 La Dame de Montrose, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"A ton of dark fruits on offer in the form of cassis, bilberry, blackcurrant, brambles of blackberry and raspberry, a ton of spice and sinew. Bitter almond and chocolate notes come in on the finish... and add to the feel of a signature Dame de Montrose. Not the exoticism of 2018, this is more of a return to classicism, closer to the 2019 or 2016. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend." 92 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£175 / Case£29.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate