I always love this wine, and the 2020 Château Barde-Haut is a quintessential Saint-Emilion revealing a deep ruby/purple hue, awesome notes of red plum, cherries, tobacco leaf, and chalky earth, full-bodied richness, bright acidity, and fine tannins. A gorgeous wine, it will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
The 2020 Barde-Haut is just as compelling it was from barrel. Blueberry jam, crème de cassis, hard candy, spice, new leather and lavender infuse the 2020 with exotic beauty. Soft contours and silky tannins add to its immediacy. Bright acids lend vibrancy to play off all the natural opulence. The 2020 is a fine vintage of Barde-Haut, one of the best in recent memory. The intensely saline finish alone is a thing of beauty.
95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)
Aromas of black and blue fruit, toasted spices, walnut and dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied with a juicy character and firm, polished tannins which build on the palate. Well-balanced, structured and compact with velvety texture and hints of spices and bark to close. Lingering finish. Try after 2027.
95 points, James Suckling (Dec 2022)
The 2020 Barde Haut is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of black cherry compote, plum preserves, and sandalwood waft from the glass, followed by suggestions of cast-iron pan, black truffles, and Indian spices. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers mouth filling notes of juicy plums and spicy accents, framed by plush tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and minerally.
94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)
A good drop of damson and black cherry fruits right up front, and holds its line while the more austere tannins come in towards the finish. Expertly extracted, self-contained right now, firm fruits that don't dip through the mid palate alongside a glossy wash of liquorice, black chocolate, sage and anis. This is clearly going to age well. 60% new oak for ageing. Owned by Hélène Garcin-Leveque, this is located right next to Troplong Mondot.
94 points, Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2021)