Médoc
The vintage
Even though the 2020 season was rather whimsical, the winter was very mild winter, which favored early budbreak. The spring was wet and rainy, leading to some failed fruit set on some vines and increasing the risk of powdery mildew. During the summer, a heat wave, and an unprecedented drought (no rainfall between mid-June and mid-August) blocked berry ripening in some lots. The 2020 harvest was historically early and took place under a heat wave that lasted through the harvest period. The 2020 Médoc wines are powerful, fresh, and elegant, with reasonable alcohol levels, good-density tannins, and higher acidity than previous vintages.
Location
Médoc Appellation stretches on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary, North of Bordeaux.
Terroir
Médoc benefits from an exceptional situation and a unique terroir. The gravelly hilltops characteristics of the region produce great wines with great aging potential. Wines coming from clay and limestone terroir are fine and elegant and can be appreciated in their youth.
Winemaking
This wine is made in the traditional Bordeaux method : grapes are destemmed and crushed before being placed in thermoregulated stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Total maceration time lasts around 3 weeks, with regular pumping overs, to obtain good concentration of tannins and colour. The wine is then ready for the ageing under oak (around 50% of the final blend).
Tasting
Deep purple red color.
Discreet and elegant nose of very ripe fruit, such as black currant, with spicy notes, such as clove. When swirled, smoky and mocha notes appear, evidencing barrel aging. The attack on the palate is ample and silky, the tannins are dense and firm, and the finish is fresh. It is a full-bodied, powerful wine that will evolve in the bottle over the next 5 years.
Alcohol content
13
Grapes
Cabernet sauvignon
: 55 %
Merlot
: 45 %