The cancellation of the annual Union des Grands Crus (UGC) week at the end of March unfortunately marked the second year in a row James and I were unable to travel to Bordeaux to taste the latest vintage from barrel. Quel dommage! Nevertheless as we have done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we've adapted to challenging situations and have been working relentlessly with the leading Châteaux and Négociants to receive samples at Bon Coeur HQ in preparation for our virtual tastings... we must say a 'grand merci' to Frédéric Castéja of Borie-Manoux who has played an instrumental role in helping organise samples, as well as orchestrate this weeks upcoming sessions.
An early 8am start gave us just enough time to start the week as we always do across La Manche with our morning French ritual; a strong espresso and a Bonne Maman chocolate Madeleine!
Then with no time to waste we launched straight into tastings where we began proceedings in the Haut-Médoc; a great place to begin as it gives you an insight into the style of the vintage from an entry level perspective. The majority of wines are ripe, round and concentrated with lots of dark black fruit, that at the same time retain impressive and uplifting freshness. Jean-Michel Laporte, consultant at Ch. Sénéjac, stated that "2018, 2019 and 2020 are all marked by their roundness, fruit purity and freshness... Sénéjac 2020 has the acidity and tannins to age for 10-15 years easily." General Manager at Ch. Sociando-Mallet, François Huguenot, agrees commenting that "if 2018 was a 'show off' vintage, and 2019 more straight, then 2020 is a combination of both... with the addition of the rounded tannins from 2016.
Haut-Médoc
Ch. Les Grands Chênes
Ch. Camensac
Ch. Chasse-Spleen
Ch. Citran
Ch. Cantemerle
Ch. La Lagune
Ch. La Tour Carnet
Ch. Sénéjac
Ch. Sociando-Mallet
As we moved across into Margaux, many wines had impressive concentration and complexity, whilst displaying the elegance and refinement that Margaux is known for. Ch. Giscours General Manager, Alexander Van Beek, said that "the dry, warm summers and cool nights created small, but concentrated berries which were allowed to be pushed to their full potential... as a result, 2020 is one of the top wines we've produced at the estate." Interesting developments at neighbouring Ch. d'Issan have come to fruition after the estate purchased 7-hectares of vines between their original 'clos' and nearby Ch. Margaux, including plantings of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. For the first time in its history, the 2020 vintage will include these varieties and Managing Director, Emmanuel Cruse, declared that "[2020] was technically the best we have made in recent years."
Margaux
Ch. Brane-Canteac
Ch. Cantenac-Brown
Ch. d'Issan
Ch. du Tertre
Ch. Giscours
Ch. Prieuré-Lichine
Ch. Siran
A good days tasting and if this is a sign of things to come, then it looks we have another decent vintage in the barrel. Tomorrow we travel "down south" to Pessac-Leognan and Sauternes-Barsac... à demain!
If you are interested in En Primeur but haven't yet taken the plunge, read our introduction to buying En Primeur wine as well as our Bordeaux 2020 preview. If you would also like to receive emails on En Primeur, please email wine@bcfw.co.uk to be added to our distribution list.
