2020 Domaine de l'Eglise

Cask sample. Earthy note, chunky and astringent on the nose, and the fruit, while ripe, is definitely on the mushroomy side. Bit early for that sort of development, surely? Furry finish, with lingering smoky notes. Doesn't seem to have come together in the way that many other 2020 samples have. (RH)

The 2020 Domaine de l’Eglise feels rather pinched on the nose and lacks the fruit intensity that I found on the recently tasted 2018. In fact, I left my glass aside for 30–45 minutes to see if it coalesced and gained more presence, but it never quite clicked into fifth gear. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine tannins, partly compensating for the aromatics, particularly toward the finish, which is smooth and armed with pure black fruit laced with white pepper and truffle. It finished on a high note, but I would like to see whether the aromatics improve during barrel maturation.