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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
A newly arriving container filled with top rated Bordeaux, these 2020 Bordeaux selections boast outstanding quality across the board at unparalleled value pricing, from a vintage of “brilliant wines” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley and described by Vinous critic Antonio Galloni as “a year brimming with phenomenal wines at all levels, from the big names down to bottles the average consumer can still afford to purchase by the case.”
Although there were no significant heat spikes throughout the growing season, 2020 was a warm growing season overall in Bordeaux, with generally well-timed rain in the Spring followed by extremely dry summer weather that prevented the development of mildew. While summer drought conditions led to smaller berries and yields for Cabernet Sauvignon, mid-August rains on the Right Bank plumped up Merlot and cool September evenings during the last phase of ripening preserved freshness in the wines. Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson noted that “clay-limestone soils did brilliantly against the heat of the summer, favoring the St Emilion plateau” with an impressive array of wines also coming from the gravel soils of Pauillac and St Julien. Describing the white wines of 2020, Anson declares there are “plenty of delicious bottles,” the earlier harvest delivering “exotic fruit flavors with grip and personality.” Describing 2020 as “an incredibly exciting vintage for Bordeaux,” Antonio Galloni of Vinous finds remarkable quality in each of the Left Bank appellations, while calling Saint Emilion “one of the sweet spots of 2020” and noting “readers will find a bevy of compelling wines from satellite appellations” including Haut-Medoc and Fronsac. Called “an incredible classic vintage” by Jeb Dunnuck producing “a solid swath of cellar-worthy buys in the $65-and-under range” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth, critic James Suckling summed up the vintage well, declaring “if you buy or drink a bottle of top-rated 2020 Bordeaux, you are going to be more than happy. In fact, you most likely will be elated” and noting “many of the wines give pleasure for a young wine but the best will age for decades ahead.”
Summing it up as “a great modern-day Bordeaux vintage,” Antonio Galloni notes the wines are “less extracted, more vibrant and, frankly, much more fun to drink,” this well priced, wide-ranging offer a terrific opportunity to stock up on an array of age worthy Bordeaux from an exceptional 2020 vintage that according to Neal Martin of Vinous “delivers the goods.” |
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Lots of chalk, dark-fruit, bark and mushroom character. Violets, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, juicy tannins and a fresh finish.
93-94 points, James Suckling (Jun 2021)
The 2020 Clos Lunelles is composed of 80% Merlot, coming in with an alcohol of 14.79% and a pH of 3.65. It is being aged in French oak barriques, 50% new. Deep purple-black colored, it springs from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black cherries and black raspberries, giving way to hints of wild blueberries, chocolate box and cardamom with a touch of violets. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of crunchy, energetic black and red fruits, supported by fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and lifted.
92-94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (May 2021)
Brilliant stuff from the team at Pavie, the 2020 Clos Lunelles boasts fabulous Castillon minerality as well as lots of cassis and black raspberry fruits, notes of spicy oak and white flowers, medium to full-bodied richness, vivid purity of fruit, and a great, balanced, lengthy style that just begs to be drunk. It’s worth a case purchase and should keep for 15 years.
92-94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Jun 2021)
The 2020 Clos Lunelles is plush, sensual and wonderfully inviting. Inky dark fruit, licorice, lavender and spice envelop the palate. Forward and juicy right out of the bottle. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. The 2020 has an extra kick of vibrancy that works balances the natural intensity of the year.
91-93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jun 2021)