Médoc area
violet, racy minerality and a discreet hint of plum blossom, lily, pepper and a very discreet hint of vanilla. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, delicacy, finesse in the definition of the fruit, minerality, fine tension, silky finesse and a nice body/ texture. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy cherry, juicy/pulpy blackberry and, more slightly, of red berries combined with a touch of violet plum, violet, fine notes of lily, tonka bean, a subtle hint of good bitterness/variety as well as a discreet touch of camphor/black tea and cocoa. The tannins are racy. A very fine saline edge to the finish. Good length. Nice acidic, crisp and sapid finish. Score : 17.25/20 (94-95/100)
Château Dauzac 2019
Margaux 5ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant and offers complexity, a certain controlled concentration as well as accuracy in its construction. It has notes of creamy blackcurrant, pulpy wild strawberry and slightly violet, combined with hints of crushed raspberry, as well as fine hints of liquorice, caramelisation, blueberry, tea, a touch of chocolate, blue plum and a discreet touch of vanilla. The palate is fruity and offers minerality, freshness, juiciness, a nice definition, suavity, a certain gourmandise, a fine acidic backbone as well as an airy side in the approach. On the palate this wine expresses crunchy boysenberry, crushed raspberry and, more slightly, pulpy cherry notes combined with hints of blueberry, fresh/juicy blueberry, delicate hints of racy/gravelly minerality as well as subtle sapid, peppery and sweet blond tobacco hints. A very nice definition of pulpy/crisp/acidic fruit. The tannins are precise and mellow. Good length. Some chewiness on the finish. Good length (13 caudalies). Sincerity, purity and sapidity in this beautiful wine.
Score : 17.5+/20 (95-96/100)
Château Marquis de Terme 2019
Margaux 4ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is spicy, elegant and offers fruit, delicacy, a nice harmony and a nice spicy side. There are notes of crushed boysenberry, pulpy strawberry and, more slightly, morello cherry combined with delicate touches of violet, balsamic, fine nuances of sweet blond tobacco as well as a fine touch of star anise and chocolate. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, freshness, smoothness, good structure, elegance and a nice mineral/acidic structure. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy blackberry, morello cherry and, more slightly, star anise, combined with hints of fleshy/juicy strawberry, star anise, sweet gingerbread, fine chocolate notes and a subtle hint of cardamom and vanilla. Good length. Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Château du Tertre 2019
Margaux 5ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity, fresh and offers some power, fine concentration, depth and intensity. There are notes of crunchy wild blackberry, raspberry and, more slightly, pulpy red berries combined with fine hints of violet, zan, and discrete hints of almost crushed blue berries, camphor, cardamom, pepper and a subtle sapiness. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, smoothness, nice definition, precision, tension and acidity. A flattering/gourmet quality of the texture. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy cherry, pulpy/juicy strawberry and, more slightly, crushed redcurrant combined with hints of juicy/fresh plum, a touch of blackcurrant, fine hints of racy minerality, star anise, chocolate, toasted almond as well as a subtle hint of toasted hazelnut and a very discreet almost mentholated finish. Powerful finish.
Score : 16.75/20 (93-94/100)
AOC SAINT-JULIEN
Château Talbot 2019
Saint-julien 4ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is nicely racy, elegant, precise and offers mastery, complexity as well as a nice fine and powerful grain. The wine benefits from being decanted. There are notes of blackberry, violets and, more slightly, ripe/pulpy black fruit combined with hints of tonka bean, spice, crushed strawberry, fine spice, fresh tobacco and a discreet hint of pepper and nutmeg. The palate is fruity and offers freshness, minerality, good definition, a certain gourmandise, an acidic backbone, pulpiness, precision and purity of fruit. Progressive power on the palate. This wine expresses notes of juicy blackberry, juicy raspberry and slightly crunchy Morello cherry combined with touches of crisp red berries, racy minerality, fine hints of lilac, fresh violet, cocoa, fresh blond tobacco as well as a discreet hint of sweet spices, cinnamon and a subtle touch of roast. Good length. The tannins are precise and mellow. Nice work on the bitter taste. Sapidity and a smokiness (quite classic for Talbot) on the finish.
Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)
Château Beychevelle 2019
Saint-julien 4ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is powerful, elegant, precise and offers freshness, a nice power/finesse and a nice fine, racy and tense grain. There are notes of crunchy blackcurrant, violet, lily and slightly fresh nutmeg combined with hints of boysenberry, wild red berries, a hint of violet plum, discreet spice and a subtle hint of pepper, toast and a very discreet, almost aniseed-like note. The palate is nicely managed, elegant and offers delicacy, suppleness, a nice fine grain, a racy minerality as well as a nice richness and substance all in elegance / with an airy side. All in balance. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/flavoured blackcurrant, boysenberry and, more slightly, purple plum combined with hints of raspberry, crunchy blue berries, dark chocolate, cardamom and a subtle hint of nutmeg and vanilla. The tannins are precise, elegant and airy. Good length.
Score : 17.25+/20 (95/100)
Château Gruaud Larose 2019
Saint-julien 2ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity, elegant, beautifully racy and offers precision, power with finesse and a very fine, racy / discreetly tight grain. There are notes of creamy boysenberry, wild strawberry and, more slightly, crushed redcurrant combined with fine hints of black cherry, liquorice, cardamom as well as fine hints of spice, colas and a subtle hint of salinity/gravity. The palate is fresh, mineral, balanced, fine/ clear and offers a nice definition, a ”fresh velvet” side, power with finesse/mastery, roundness, a fine creaminess and a fine grain. A little airiness in its richness. A discreet side of restraint but with elegance. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of creamy blackcurrant, boysenberry and, more slightly, saline minerality combined with hints of wild strawberry, fresh/creamy berries, fine toasted notes and a very discreet hint of roasting, Bourbon vanilla and an imperceptible touch of pepper. A very discreet and nice work on positive bitterness. The tannins are sapid, elegant, racy and delicate. An imperceptible hint of eucalyptus in the background. A very nice persistence.
Score : 18/20 (96/100)
Château Léoville Poyferré 2019
Saint-julien 2ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant, precise, delicate, complex and offers a nice definition, a floral character as well as delicacy. We find notes of pulpy blackcurrant, lily and, more slightly, redcurrant combined with hints of raspberry, chocolate and a very discreet touch of vanilla and pepper. The palate is mineral, fresh, elegant, balanced, precise, with a nice definition, a fine acidic backbone, a lot of delicacy/suavity, a racy grain, tension and a nice airy quality in its freshness and power. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy blueberry, pulpy strawberry and, more slightly, crunchy redcurrants, combined with touches of blueberry, lily, tonka bean and fine toasted, roasted and vanilla notes. The tannins are precise, very fine and supple. Good length. Nice work on the positive bitterness.
Score : 17.75/20 (95-96/100)
Château Langoa-barton 2019
Saint-julien 3ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity and offers some power, concentration, finesse and complexity. There are notes of pulpy raspberry, violet and, more slightly, crushed berries combined with a touch of blackcurrant, lily, a fine hint of nutmeg as well as discreet hints of grey pepper and toastiness. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality, freshness, good definition and a certain fatness with finesse. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy blackcurrant, fresh/juicy boysenberry and, more slightly, crushed raspberry, combined with hints of lily, tonka bean, toastiness and discreet hints of flowers and chocolate. The tannins are precise, soft and sapid. Nice persistence.
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Château Léoville-barton 2019
Saint-julien 2ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant and delicate, offering silkiness and finesse. There are notes of boysenberry, creamy black berries and slightly crushed strawberry combined with a fine touch of plum, fine zan, spice and a discreet touch of graphite and pepper. The palate is fresh, juicy, elegant, nicely defined and offers gourmandise, freshness and precision. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, crunchy raspberry and, more slightly, crushed redcurrant combined with a touch of juicy blueberry as well as hints of saltiness, pepper, chocolate, toastiness and a subtle hint of vanilla. The tannins are precise, elegant and structured. A very discreet hint of caramelisation on the finish.
Score : 17.5+/20 (95-96/100)