Château Couhins-Lurton 2020

Like its white counterpart, the 2020 Couhins-Lurton has turned out very well, exhibiting pure aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and subtle spices. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant, with powdery tannins and a mouthwatering finish, it's an intensely flavored, beautifully balanced wine that reflects its origins in limestone soils that always lend this bottling a low-pH profile. Having recently changed consultant winemaker, this estate's reds are going from strength to strength.

Fresh and ripe dark fruits on the nose, smells lively. Clean and clear, a sleek and smooth texture. Still tense with a streamlined core of firm, well-defined tannins. The fruit elements have depth, giving a lovely verticality of flavours, though it remains quite coiled and reserved for now. Lovely succulence and grip, with a stony minerality balancing the ripe, softly chewy blackcurrant and black cherry. Lifted, fresh and clean finish. Some gorgeous detail and nuance here; it will be absolutely delicious in a few years.

Fragrant nose of black cherries, currants, cloves, dried lavender, chili chocolate and nutmeg. It’s creamy and full-bodied with fine and supple tannins. Seamless and beautifully integrated. Delicious already, but better after 2024.

The 2020 Couhins-Lurton is a soft, open-knit wine with plenty of immediacy and overall appeal. Bright red-toned fruit, crushed flowers, rose petal, blood orange and mint are some of the notes that grace this engaging, supple Pessac-Léognan from André Lurton.

Flowers, black raspberries, currants, cherries and cigar box aromas create the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, elegant, refined and filled with sweet red fruits that express their essence with ease. Drink from 2024–2045.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, dark core, delicate rim brightening. Delicate floral underlay with a touch of liquorice, black cherries, fresh orange zest and precious wood. Full-bodied, blackberry fruit, fresh acidity, fine, ripe tannins, fruit-sweet finish, an elegant, easy-drinking style, black berries on the finish.

Good purity on the nose, ripe and dark fruit like crème de cassis, dark cherry with mild spiciness. Fluid and digestible palate, fresh backbone, gentle extraction and ripe tannins, crushed blackcurrant, subtle oak notes and a fine length; very drinkable, should be accessible rather early.

The 2020 Château Couhins-Lurton is straight-up classy and a hidden little gem in this great vintage. Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, loamy earth, and spicy oak all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium- to full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. It has some background oak that’s going to integrate with 2–4 years of bottle age, and this beauty should evolve for 15+ years. A brilliant effort, it ranks with the finest I’ve tasted from this château.

Beautifully creamy and balanced, with blueberry and raspberry fruit, smooth and seductive, relatively approachable although it will improve with a few more years in bottle. It has the elegance and confidence of Pessac Leognan, understated and finessed glamour. Jacques Lurton, owner and director, his first full vintage since taking over the company.

91-92

A smoky nose, like a Saint John’s bonfire—intriguing, brooding, with notes of ginger cake. Voluptuous and luxurious on the palate, with tannins that caress the palate, and a finish marked by sweetness.

The oak still defines the bouquet of the 2020 with notes of coffee beans and roasted nuances, but the fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry) manages to break through and ultimately take the lead… after aeration! On the palate, the wine is marked by the finesse of its texture and its tannins. They are velvety and fleshy, providing a very reliable backbone. A sapid, powerful wine that deserves a bit of development.

Dark color of normal intensity. Moderately aromatic nose with ripe, fresh, smooth, and spicy fruit. Caressing on the attack, fruity mid-palate, with an elongated body; the wine finishes with medium length and no tannic edges.