15. Château Capbern, St-Estèphe “Another terrific Saint- Estephe is the 2020 Chateau Capbern, which comes from the same team as Calon Segur. (Current director Vincent Millet was brought on board in 2021.) Coming from 33 hectares of vines on sandy, gravelly, clay soils, the final blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The elevage spanned 18 months in 60% new French oak, and this beauty hit just 12.8% natural alcohol. Gorgeous cassis, violets, damp earth, iron, and classy oak all emerge on the nose, and it’s full-bodied on the palate, with beautiful tannins, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and the vintage’s pure, focused, age-worthy style front and center. Give bottles just 4-6 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Best After 2027.” 95 pts, Jeb Dunnuck 465925 $65 16. Château Carbonnieux, Pessac‑Léognan “The 2020 Carbonnieux is a dark, brooding beauty. Black cherry, gravel, incense, tobacco, smoke, mocha and cured meats build as this deep, layered Pessac‑Léognan shows off its considerable personality. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. The mix of fruit richness and energy is compelling. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2040.” 94 pts, Vinous 465920, 482916 $85 17. Le Carillon d’Angélus, St-Émilion Grand Cru “Aromas of sweet cherries, berries, mint and rose petals, framed by a deft touch of new oak, introduce the 2020 Le Carillon d’Angélus, a medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless wine that’s velvety and enveloping, with a suave, polished profile that will lend it a broad drinking window. Produced in a new, dedicated winery, where tanks are adapted to the size of parcels, it was matured in 45% new barriques, 30% used barrels and the rest in tank, making for a somewhat more controlled oak influence. Drink Date: 2023 - 2030.” 92 pts, Wine Advocate 419609 $200
2020 BORDEAUX
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