68. Château Larcis Ducasse, St-Émilion Grand Cru “The Grand Vin comes from a tiny 11.15-hectare vineyard that has been in the Gratiot family since 1893. Located on the south-facing Côte Pavie, between Château Pavie and Château Bellefont-Belcier and consisting of clay on top of limestone soils, the vineyard has recently been going through a replanted phase using a selection massale and a higher density planting. The grapes are hand-sorted, vinification occurs all in concrete and spans four weeks, with the élevage in 50% new French oak. A normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château Larcis Ducasse reminds me of the 2005 and is up with the top handful of wines on the Right Bank. It has a brilliant perfume of red and black fruits, white truffle, leafy tobacco, and Asian spices. This carries to a full-bodied, concentrated, powerful Larcis-Ducasse with ultra-fine yet building tannins, perfect balance, a stacked mid-palate, and one heck of a great finish. It’s going to flirt with perfection in 7-8 years (I’m probably underrating it a point) and have 30 years of overall longevity. Tasted numerous times with $175 69. Château Latour à Pomerol, Pomerol “In the 2019 vintage, this estate was a highlight of the Mouiex portfolio, and the 2020 Latour à Pomerol is a terrific follow-up. Bursting with aromas of cherries, dark berries, licorice, black truffle and petroleum jelly, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a broad attack that segues into a rich core of fruit that’s framed by sweet, powdery tannins. Drink Date: 2025 - 2043.” 94 pts, Wine Advocate 371746 $175 70. Château Latour-Martillac, Pessac‑Léognan “The 2020 Latour-Martillac has an impressive, quite engaging bouquet with blackberry, incense, graphite and faint touches of black olive. This is very harmonious and well defined. The palate is medium- bodied with fine-grain tannins, very well balanced, quite saline with a poised and quite persistent finish. Quintessentially Pessac‑Léognan, this has a bright future ahead. Drinking Window: 2027 - 2055.” consistent results.” 99 pts, Jeb Dunnuck 357734
94 pts, Vinous 357627, 381919
$90
2020 BORDEAUX
57
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