Chateau Barde Haut Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

The 2020 Barde-Haut is just as compelling it was from barrel. Blueberry jam, crème de cassis, hard candy, spice, new leather and lavender infuse the 2020 with exotic beauty. Soft contours and silky tannins add to its immediacy. Bright acids lend vibrancy to play off all the natural opulence. The 2020 is a fine vintage of Barde-Haut, one of the best in recent memory. The intensely saline finish alone is a thing of beauty.

A young red with blackberry, chocolate and walnut character that follows through to a medium to full body with creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Subtle in the end.

Coming from a gorgeous vineyard on the eastern, cooler side of Saint-Emilion, and 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Château Barde-Haut has a bright, juicy, yet powerful bouquet of ripe blue fruits, scorched earth, tobacco, and cedary herbs. It has a kiss of background oak (it’s aging in 60% new barrels), medium to full-bodied richness, a ripe, textured mouthfeel, and serious underlying structure that comes out with time in the glass. It should have some upfront appeal, yet smart money is on giving bottles at least 4-5 years of bottle age, and it will keep for 2-3 decades.

The 2020 Barde-Haut has an intense bouquet with black cherries, wild strawberries, freshly pressed violets and light incense aromas, harmonious yet fairly backward. The palate has a very sensual opening: sweet blackberry, balsamic, white pepper and light graphite notes from the 20% Cabernet Franc. It feels linear and strict at the moment, which bodes well for the future. Very fine, but patience is necessary if you want to see this Saint-Émilion at its peak.