2020 Saint Georges Cote Pavie

From a château that has been on the rise over the past decade, the 2020 Château Saint Georges (Côte Pavie) is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aged in just 30% new barrels, that comes from a gorgeous terroir on the Côte Pavie, just to the west of Château Pavie. Gorgeous red and black fruits, crushed stone, spring flowers, and hints of leather define the bulk of the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a deep, layered mid-palate, nicely integrated oak, and enough tannins to warrant a solid 5-7 years of bottle age. A gorgeous bottle of wine, it will have 20-25 years of overall longevity.

This shows notes of blackcurrants and blackberries with dark spices, tree bark and walnut. Medium- to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Vivid and dark-fruited with a chalky finish. Try after 2025.

Full bottle 1,245 g. Cask sample taken 8 April. Healthy crimson. Polished, ripe fruit on the nose. Rich but not too heavy. Very flattering range of ripe fruit flavours verging on black fruits with quite a charge of fine tannins on the end. Managing to be appetising overall. (JR)