Château Labégorce 2020 Margaux

Neal Martin (Vinous).
91-93/100 Punten.
The 2020 Labégorce was picked 16 September to 1 October and raised in 40% new oak, the remainder one year old. It has a perfumed bouquet with brambly red fruit, wild strawberry mixed with raspberry preserve and rose petal, hints of orange rind emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, classic in style with a fine bead of acidity that imparts plenty of freshness. More black fruit on the palate compared to the nose with a saline finish, this is a fine Margaux that has a suppleness suggesting it will drink early after bottling.

Decanter.
93/100 points. 
Smoked cedar oak on the nose, a welcome touch in a vintage where tannins have frequently been turned up to 11. Grilled almonds; really a campfire edge. I like this, works well with the vintage. The fruit softens through the mid palate but the team has done a great job of finding extra layers flavour and complexity. Good stuff. 40% new oak. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Yields around 32hl/ha. Just 20mm of rain in August here, which meant veraison was more difficult. Tasted this also at the estate, and both times I was impressed. Less opulent than 2019, more classic and serious but this is great. Harvest September 16 to October 1.