The 2020 Bordeaux en-primeur campaign has started and one big gun – Chateau Cheval Blanc has already been released. We are expecting that this will see the release of more notable chateaux over the coming days, although in our opinion, it will be early June when more of the big beasts will become available.

The Top Selection team has tasted over 40 samples direct from the Chateaux and our conclusions on the vintage, style and stand out wines are below. As ever the campaign will move fast and allocations will be keenly contested. We invite you to register your interest or send us a wish list for what is proving a very popular vintage!

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2020 – THE COVID VINTAGE

Weather
We all remember how hot last April, May and June were in the UK. Well the same was true for Bordeaux, but they also had massive downpours, making the vines grow fast and without any major disease. Then came a very hot and dry July and August with almost no rain and a nice warm September in Bordeaux.

Yields
Due to the hot weather, some chateaux lost 10-15% of the crop, but what they produced were healthy.

Quality – a mix of 2009 and 2010
It is dangerous to generalise, because there are some great wines, as well as some big disappointments.

Those who made good wines show the characteristic of a warm vintage like the most acclaimed 2009, but with a freshness of 2010. Much less extraction and alcohol feel than in the past years.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The Robert Parker era is over
2. Wines are returning to what we call a “more classical” and elegant Bordeaux style (fresh, soft and elegant). These are a new style of wine, combining the tannic structure of the “classical style” of Bordeaux with the “Parker style” of fleshy and round wines, resulting in much better balance
3. Not a heterogenerous vintage, one must cherry pick
4. 2020 is a healthy combination of two great vintages: the ripeness of 2009 and the freshness of 2010
5. Price wise it will still be a good investment and good value for money to drink. 2019 was 30% below 2018 and 2019 was a better vintage. We expect 2020 to be somewhat higher than 2019 (10-15%), but still well below the inferior 2018 vintage and some say even better than 2019 (based on the top wines’ scores, it is certainly the case).

Following our extensive tasting of Chateaux samples we have highlighted our teams top picks along with estimated price windows based on 2019. If you would like to request a case of two of these wines or have a specific wish list please contact us via the button below. Prices quoted are In Bond per bottle. Wines will be available in 6 or 12 bottle cases.

 

Chateau	2020 Estimate £/bt	Release Price £/bt	Critic Scores
Pessac Leognan
Château Carbonnieux Blanc – RELEASED	22-25	23	91-93
Château Carbonnieux Rouge- RELEASED	22-25	23	89-91
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc – RELEASED	60-70	66.50	93-95
Domaine de Chevalier Red – RELEASED	50-55	47.17	96 – 97
Pape Clement Blanc RELEASED	80-100	89.17	92-94
Pape Clement Rouge RELEASED	60-75	62.67	94-97
Château Haut-Bailly RELEASED	85-100	96	93-97
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc RELEASED	90-95	96	94-96
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge RELEASED	79-84	96	94-96
St Julien
Branaire Ducru – RELEASED	30-35	31	91-93
Château Lagrange RELEASED	35-38	35.34	92-94
Leoville Las Cases RELEASED	190-210	198	95-98
Château Beychevelle – RELEASED	55-65	57.84	95-97
Ducru Beaucaillou RELEASED	145-165	160	96-98
Leoville Barton – RELEASED	58-64	54	93-95
Leoville Poyferre RELEASED	65-75	72	93-96
Margaux
D’Issan RELEASED	42-45	42.17	92-95
Pauillac
Pichon Comtesse de Lalande RELEASED	127-132	134.50	95-98
Pichon Baron RELEASED	116-120	110.67	94-97
D’Armailhac – RELEASED	35-37	33	92-94
St Emilion
Vallandraud St Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe RELEASED	100-120	106.50	93-96
Troplong Mondot St Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe RELEASED	73-76	72	93-96
La Gaffeliere St Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe RELEASED	50-70	53	93-96
Château La Croix de Labrie – RELEASED	68-72	74	93-95
Pomerol
Château Gazin – RELEASED	55-65	56.17	94-97
Vieux Château Certan RELEASED	220-250	240	95-97
Château Clinet RELEASED	63-67	66.67	93-95
L’Evangile RELEASED	170-190	185	95-98
St Estephe
Cos d’Estournel RELEASED	135-150	150	93-96
Lafon Rochet – RELEASED	30-33	27.67	93-94
1st Growths and other high demand Chateau
Château Palmer RELEASED	198-202	240	95-97
Lynch Bages RELEASED	81-84	86.67	90-93
Pontet Canet RELEASED	71-75	74.17	94-97
Château Mouton Rothschild RELEASED	350-450	433	97-100
Château Margaux RELEASED	401-440	433	97-100
Château Lafite RELEASED	486-495	490	97-99
Haut Brion Rouge RELEASED	355-455	433	97-99
Mission Haut Brion RELEASED	230-285	275	96-98