Château La Couspaude 2019

The 2019 La Couspaude offers up generous aromas of blackberries, cherries and currants framed by a generous application of spicy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a rich core of sun-kissed fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins, concluding with a wood-inflected finish. Readers who appreciate more fruit-driven, front-loaded wines will find plenty of appeal here.

Features plum and fig paste notes that capture the muscular, hefty fruit side of the vintage, while sous bois, espresso crema and alder accents keep it on the slightly dark and brooding side of the spectrum. Delivers a late savory note that provides needed energy. This is for old-school fans. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2036. 3,000 cases made, 400 cases imported.

Beautiful aromas on the nose, really defined and well pronounced. Heady, seductive, beautifully soft sweetness, the fruit is juicy and ripe, and the texture is silky smooth. The initial impression makes you think this is approachable already - it is bright and lively with good depth and balanced acidity, but there's hints of liquorice and clove spice around the edges towards the finish, suggesting this needs a little more time.

Blackcurrants, bark, tobacco leaves, tar and grilled herbs on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with creamy tannins. Plush texture. Ripe and toasty finish. 75% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink from 2024.

75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Mid crimson, this looks quite evolved. Fragrant with signs of some bouquet already! Relatively lightweight and forward. A pleasant wine for relatively early drinking. (JR)

The 2019 La Couspaude has a fleshy, ripe nose featuring mulberry, red plums, incense and touches of white pepper. It already feels quite open. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshy with soft tannins, but missing some backbone and grip. Quite sweet and playful on the finish, where it displays touches of blueberry and orange zest, this is a Saint-Émilion that I would broach in its first decade.

Roasted espresso beans, smoke, licorice, chocolate, black cherry and blueberry aromatics create the nose. The wine is lush, rich, round and loaded with dark, ripe, sweet, opulent fruits, licorice and espresso beans and chocolate on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2023-2034.

Dark ruby garnet with purple reflections and a broad ochre rim. Delicate notes of liquorice and cassis, fresh black forest berries, a hint of mandarin zest and some roasted aromas on the nose. Juicy and elegant on the palate with a core of ripe cherries and a vivid woody spice that still dominates somewhat. There's good freshness and a chocolaty aftertaste. It definitely needs its time, but appears much leaner than En Primeur in this phase, hence the more defensive rating.

Purple core and a garnet rim. Floral nose with red berries, plum and an herbal spiciness. Medium bodied with a youthful texture, grippy tannin, fresh acidity, crushed red berries and a fine length.

Mulberries, red plums, spice box, and flowery incense notes all emerge from the 2019 Château La Couspaude, a beautifully polished, elegant, medium to full-bodied effort with notable tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. This impressive, beautifully balanced Saint-Emilion will keep for 15+ years. The blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon.

Purple with a ruby rim. Opulent bouquet of wild berries with fragrant violets and a subtle hint of cinnamon, followed by stewed plums. The palate is plush and rounded, with perfectly ripe tannins, supportive freshness, and gorgeous extract sweetness. Aromatic finish with small blue berries, light tobacco, and an enticing Arabica note. This year, it’s turned out really well!

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alc. vol., production 36,000 bottles) Opulent, sweet, jammy, powerful bouquet, blackcurrant jam, cherry compote, caramel, mocha cream. Creamy, dense, opulent palate with powerful, sweet fruit, broad structure, generous aromatics, finely sandy tannins, long, slightly dry finish. Has room to improve further.

(75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alc./vol., production 36,000 bottles) Opulent, sweet, jammy, powerful bouquet, blackcurrant jam, cherry compote, caramel, mocha cream. Creamy, dense, opulent palate with powerful, sweet fruit, broad structure, lavish aromatics, fine sandy tannins, long, slightly dry finish. Can improve further. 17/20 2025 - 2042

The Aubert family has owned this property for more than a century. Always a wine that goes long on chocolate, campfire and tar notes, and it does so again in 2019, but it is well balanced by red and black fruits. Broad-shouldered, with impact.

Dark, intense color. Fruity nose with a slight lactic note. Juicy, flavorful palate, but the lingering excess of oak does not help its balance.

A focused, powerful wine, this is still young. Its richness and promise of great things are both impressive. The wine, a Grand Cru Classé, will take its time. Drink from 2026.