Bordeaux 2020 EP
2020 Lacoste-Borie, Pauillac 6x75cl
5th-growth, Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste describes 2020 as a more “classical in style” than 2018 and 2019, where, instead of the flamboyance evident in the preceding two vintages, here we're back to... classical lines, structure and finesse. The great Pauillac estate's second label is ever-charming with plenty of beautifully pitched, fragrant sweet red fruit. Classic, correct, and with enough weight to promise much pleasurable, early drinking. Mr.Wheeler Tasting Note
£112 / Case£18.67 / 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 d’Armailhac 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 D'Armailhac strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of cassis, warm plums and cedar chest, plus wafts of pencil lead, bay leaves and... kirsch. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the crunchy black and red fruits, finishing savory. The blend this year is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol of 13.3%." 90-92 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£198 / Case£33 / 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 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 Cantemerle 5eme Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc 6x75cl
"This has the tight tannins of the vintage with damson and an edge of bitter dark chocolate, but it is a success all the same - confident, succulent, elegant and classic." 93 pts., Jane Anson, www.decanter.com
£109 / Case£18.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
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 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 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 Pagodes de Cos, Saint-Estephe 6x75cl
"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with pretty, open-knit scents of stewed black plums, boysenberries and warm cassis, plus savory hints of charcuterie, woodsmoke,... black truffles and bouquet garni. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with crunchy black fruit flavors and dried herbs accents, supported by bags of freshness and well-managed, grainy tannins, finishing with great length and a lively skip in its step." 91 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£186 / Case£31 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Giscours 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
"A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, the 2020 Giscours reveals a deep garnet-purple color and compelling notes of crushed redcurrants, plum preserves and Morello cherries, leading to... hints of lavender, wild sage, damp soil and black truffles with a touch of licorice. The medium-bodied palate bursts with vibrant red and black fruits and lots of savory accents, supported by soft, very well managed tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note." 92-94 pts., Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
£246 / Case£41 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol 6x75cl
With a new winemaking team taking the reins, this property seems set to continue its upward trajectory and consolidate its rightful place amongst Pomerol royalty, alongside Vieux Château Certan or... L’Eglise-Clinet. Certainly its perfect terroir (in between Pétrus and Cheval-Blanc) demands it!
Truffle, flowers, cocoa and plums on the nose, it is rich, plush, and velvety on the palate, with an almost endless finish redolent of all the espresso, dark cherry and chocolate you would expect from a Pomerol of this calibre. With 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc, L’Evangile is a wine of exceptional character and structure, and one assuring many, many years of development in your cellar.
£1,110 / Case£185 / 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
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 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 Leoville Poyferre 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
Ever known for its plush, ripe, pure and concentrated signature style, the 2020 upholds Poyferré’s consistency in producing one outstanding vintage after another: polished, silky, luscious, with... layers of textured fruit that follow an intoxicating nose of incense, smoked berry, cassis and tobacco leaf. Its finish is as seamless as it is intense, with an expanding freshness across the palate.
With 2021 completing 20 exemplary years under the expertise of the Cuvelier family, the 2020 vintage marks the occasion with a gold-etched, commemorative label. An exclusive bottle to enhance a special collection.
£432 / Case£72 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux, Margaux 6x75cl
Pavillon Rouge is the second wine of Chateau Margaux, whose quality closely approaches that of the first wine as all the plots involved contribute to the blending of Château Margaux. Not quite the... same complexity, of course, nor the same depth or “magic”, however the flavours are close and the balance in the mouth leads to the same subtle senses of power and softness. Generally ready to drink a little earlier whilst retaining an excellent potential to age largely beyond 30 or 40 years.
£828 / Case£138 / 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 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 Reserve de la Comtesse, Pauillac 6x75cl
The very popular second wine from famous Pauillac producer Château Pichon Lalande. The 2020 vintage is made from 47% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, offering plenty of rich, warm... dark fruit led by fresh, leafy blackberry on the nose with light menthol nuances and graphite minerality on the palate. Beautifully structured, long, clean, generous. In a word, delicious; in two, very impressive.
£200 / Case£33.33 / 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 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, Pauillac 6x75cl
This second wine of Pauillac's Pichon Baron de Longeville is an elegant and easy drinking cuvée blended with 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot with delightful black fruit flavours on the palate... and ripe, unobtrusive tannins to balance. Though produced primarily for early drinking, it retains all the substance and structure to see it through a good twenty more years of graceful ageing.
£173 / Case£28.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Clos La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"Bright plum, cranberry and cherry fruit, some easy-to-love freshness. Unfussy and appealing with a limestone kick and chalky finish. Second wine of Château la Gaffelière, made since 1985. Has its own separate wine cellar, with grapes that come from specific plots." 91 pts., Jane Anson, decanter.com
£87 / Case£14.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Branaire-Ducru 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
St-Julien 4ème Cru Château Branaire-Ducru is situated in the extreme south of the appellation just opposite an equally renowned Chateau Beychevelle and is appreciated for the Left Bank’s more... ethereal expressions of Cabernet-led cuvées.
With the late owner Patrick Maroteaux’s extensive technical improvements introduced over the past twenty years at the chateau, Branaire-Ducru ranks indisputably among Saint-Julien's finest.
The 2020 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, grown in 60 Ha of deep, gravelly soil, having spent 16-20 months in 60-65% new oak. Fresh raspberry, red currant and graphite abound, with a well-defined, grippy structure that delivers chiselled, sweet and bitter blackberry on the finish.
£186 / Case£31 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate