Bordeaux En Primeur 2020

James Suckling had this to say about the 2020 vintage in Bordeaux: “After tasting more than 400-barrel samples from the 2020 vintage, I can 100% confirm that it is another great year for Bordeaux.”

Intro to vintage

Bordeaux 2020 is a year of contrasts, with terroirs that are best able to cope with changes and winemakers who were able to follow closely and help their vines adapt, coming out on top. Yields were around 25% lower than in 2019, particularly with Cabernet Sauvignon, but also with Cabernet Franc in many cases. Merlot had a great year in 2020, especially on clay-limestone soils. However, Merlot on sand or gravel had a far harder time. As clay-limestone soils did brilliantly, look for value in Castillon, Francs, and Fronsac.

If you are a fan of classic, concentrated Pauillacs and St-Juliens, you are going to find plenty of brilliant wines.

“I can’t wait to taste it from bottle… The 2020 will be a very long-lived wine.”
– 94, Antonio Galloni, on Lynch Bages –

the wines

Growing Season

The 2020 harvest was early and efficient, with white grapes picked at the end of August and Merlot commencing on the right bank on the 4th of September. This was followed by the harvesting of Cabernets later in the month. All the vineyards, with the exception of those producing sweet wine, had concluded their harvest by the end of September. The intense rainfall in October could have resulted in a catastrophe, but fortunately, the vines had already been harvested by that time.

Despite exceptional fruit quality, the 2020 vintage is characterised by small berry size and low yield, with many Chateaux experiencing a 30% decrease in volume compared to previous vintages. This is attributed to reduced bunches per vine during flowering and dry weather in July and August.

Despite the limited yields, the wines from the 2020 vintage are exceptional. The white wines exhibit a bright and pure character with a fine and creamy texture, while the reds boast a delicious fruitiness and succulent tannic structure. In Sauternes, the botrytis set in rapidly in October, leading to a quick harvest and wines with a balance between sweet tropical fruit complexity and fresh acidity.

Bordeaux 2020 is often referred to as “part of a trilogy of excellent vintages.”

Highlights of 2020 by Critic