Supple and generous, with rapsberry and blackberry puree, floral aromatics, clear precision, edges of austerity from the big tannins of the vintage. Harvest September 9 to 16. 30% new oak 3.72ph. A yield of 38hl/ha. Noemie Durantou winemaker alongside Olivier Gautrat.

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 La Chenade is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to release notes of baked raspberries, kirsch, and stewed red and black plums, leading to suggestions of lavender, tar, and sandalwood. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with lovely purity and a pleasant chewiness to the texture, finishing long on a minerally note.

The 2020 La Chenade was very promising when I originally tasted it from barrel. In bottle since May, it has developed a lovely nose with melted red berry fruit, wild mint and light fennel scents. Nicely delineated and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. Extremely pure, very harmonious, this Lalande-de-Pomerol discretely crescendos towards its very satisfying, quite structured finish. Superb.