G d'Estournel 2020

Direct, with a pure beam of black currant and black cherry purée, underscored by a flash of licorice and some mulling spices on the sleek finish. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2026. 6,000 cases made, 900 cases imported.

Rich and heady fruit aromas on the nose, expressive and full. Nicely bright red and black fruits on the palate, clear and precise – a touch of smoke, tobacco, white pepper and cedar spice suggests the wood needs to soften a little bit but the fruit is really well presented, crisp and with bite. Lovely licks of stone and salty minerality put you in the Médoc and this has an easy style to it with a long, fresh finish. Cool, classic and darkly charming.

Attractive aromas of redcurrants and plums with some chocolate, follow through to a medium body, with round tannins and a juicy finish. Soft and open. Crunchy acidity at the end. Drink now.

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Round, supple and easy-drinking with plummy red fruit to the fore. Light tannic frame. Astonishing balance given the relatively high pH (3.94). (JL)

The 2020 Goulée by Cos d'Estournel, which was bottled in April, has a slightly sharp, balsamic-tinged nose, maybe just missing a little sophistication and class. The palate is medium-bodied with a chocolate and brown spice infused opening, quite dry tannins with a little austerity towards the finish. I would just like a little more complexity in this wine.

Licorice, black cherries, vanilla, espresso bean and nuances of roses create the nose. Medium-bodied, forward and fruity, the wine is soft, round, and leaves you with a polished, red cherry finish. Drink from 2023-2032.

Generous notes of chocolate and dark berries, some new oak, a plush and rounded style, yet with fine tannins giving lift; crunchy red and dark berries with fine length.

A terrific wine, the 2020 Goulee By Cos D'Estournel sports a healthy ruby/purple hue as well as ripe aromatics of currants, sandalwood, damp earth, and leafy tobacco. This medium-bodied, silky, juicy, ready-to-go Médoc is perfect for enjoying over the coming 7-8 years.

So interesting tasting this against a wide range of AOC Médoc wines. It's a more expensive bottle than many of them, but it is confident, crafted and full of personality. Cocoa bean, espresso, plentiful berry fruit, touches of mandarin peel and lemongrass to lift things on the finish, slate texture tannins, good stuff.

The 2020 G d’Estournel has a deep garnet-purple color. It features notes of raspberry leaves and fresh blackberries, plus touches of tar, bay leaves, and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet, with nice freshness and a chewiness to the finish.

A candid, very open bouquet with developed notes of baked fruit and forest floor. On the palate, a beautiful concentration of fruit that is simultaneously rich, ripe, and tangy, finishing on indulgent tannins.

(90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46 hl/ha, 13.17% vol. alcohol) Velvety, dense, powerful bouquet, prunes, tobacco, roasted notes, delicately vegetal. Powerful, well-structured, aromatic palate with finely sandy tannins, spicy aromatics, finely muscular structure, long, robust finish. 17/20 2025 - 2040

A ripe wine with soft red fruits, this has fine tannins under the juicy freshness. Drink this attractive wine from 2025.