Château Desmirail 2020

Bright, perky and forward, the fruits shine out of the glass, alive and detailed – more lightly framed than some, elegant and refined with clear strawberry, red cherry and raspberry elements underpinned by lively acidity and firm but fine tannins. It’s very Desmirail, not trying too hard, not pushing, just giving delicate, gentle finesse with lovely red fruit flavours. Detailed and nuanced – this isn't a blockbuster you're going to find elsewhere. Needs time, but will be excellent.

Blackberries, black olives, wet earth, and iodine. Medium body, medium round tannins and a juicy finish. Orange peel. A tensioned and fine-textured wine. Drink after 2025.

The 2020 Desmirail has a well-defined bouquet, understated—more than expected—but it needs little coaxing to gain more fruit and definition. It shows wonderful purity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very cohesive in the mouth with a silky-smooth, fairly tensile finish and a graphite-tinged aftertaste. This is a Margaux with great potential.

Earthy, silky, fresh and floral, this has really stepped up its game after aging in barrel. Now, you find a soft, supple-textured, round, fresh and refined wine that could be even better in the years to come. Drink from 2025-2050.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, deep core, soft brightening on the rim. Ripe plums, fresh orange zest, some notes of oak and nougat underneath, ripe cherries, with a floral touch. Juicy and fresh, medium density, ripe, fine tannins, a subtle touch of chocolate, mineral, lingering, still a little underdeveloped, good ageing potential. (2030-2055).

Showing beautifully now from bottle, the 2020 Château Desmirail offers a great perfume of red and blue fruits as well as spring flowers, incense, and new leather. With medium-bodied richness, round, supple tannins, beautiful balance, and remarkable length, it's another outstanding Margaux in 2020 that already offers loads of pleasure. It will evolve for 15+ years.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: herbs, restrained bouquet, wood, cold smoke, red berries. Angular, firm palate with sandy tannins, little fruit, drying finish.

Herbs, restrained bouquet, wood, cold smoke, red berries. Angular, firm palate with sandy tannins, little fruit, drying finish. 15/20 2026 - 2032

Silky texture, enjoyable, well balanced. Sometimes I find the oak a little intrusive in this wine, but it has settled with ageing; still present but lending quiet confidence. A vintage to discover in a Margaux that flies under the radar, showing concentrated dark fruit and lovely sap; austere tannins. Has to be one of the best this estate has produced. Denis Lurton is the owner of this property located in the village of Cantenac, and I am giving it a clear upgrade from En Primeur.

The 2020 Desmirail is deep garnet-purple in color. Notions of juicy plums and ripe blackcurrants spill from the glass, leading to hints of underbrush, charcoal, and tapenade. The medium-bodied palate is soft and harmonious, with plenty of ripe black fruit on offer and a savory kick to the finish.

The grand vin is very successful in 2020, with a palate that is both dense and very velvety, supported by an admirable tannin grain and a beautiful, lingering finish. A new benchmark for this cru.

Small pink fruits tease the nose, with a creamy impression, aromas of plum and blueberries, almost chocolatey. The palate is opulent and smooth, with notes of authentic, complex, subtle flavors and a velvety, caressing texture.

Beautiful deep red color. Very aromatic nose, fruity and subtle. Smoky nuances reminiscent of Pessac Léognan. Flavorful palate. A pity the body remains medium. Fragrant overall with gentle tannins. A wine that is approachable when young.

88–90. Barrel Sample. On the lean side, this wine is stuffed with dark tannins. The fruit element is less obvious, swamped by dryness. Expect the wine to soften while leaving a strong tannic element.