Bordeaux | 2020 vintage
The early winter months, which were characterised by really mild conditions and a significant lack of rain, set the tone for this vintage. Although March was colder, budburst still started two to three weeks early. The weather was surprisingly mild throughout April and May, and this, alongside fairly regular rain, allowed the vines to thrive very quickly. Overall, flowering progressed smoothly, but the month of June soon raised serious concerns. Temperatures dropped significantly and rain persisted, providing ideal conditions for the proliferation of fungal diseases. However, the threat of enduring a repeat of the 2018 vintage receded as an exceptionally hot and dry summer settled into place through to mid-August. Daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C were seen regularly throughout July, but nights remained fairly cool. A new heat wave episode began in August, exacerbating the first signs of water stress. Major storms then broke out and prevented ripening from stalling. The harvest of white grapes started in late August, followed by the Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, which reached perfect ripeness at the beginning of September thanks to dry and sunny conditions. Rain resumed in the second half of September, resulting in the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest. Overall, the health of the grapes was very satisfactory.
The end of the ripening period was relatively complicated as botrytis was slow to develop. As a result, the volumes of sweet wines produced are very limited, yet the quality remains satisfactory given the conditions.
2020 is an excellent year for Bordeaux red wines, although there is a certain heterogeneity amongst the different appellations. The wines have beautiful concentrations, superb mouthfeel, and offer a stunning mentholated freshness. Médoc wines are reminiscent of vintages such as 2010 or 2016, with a genuine freshness on the palate. Saint-Estèphe wines are remarkably dazzling, the clay subsoil having retained a beneficial water reserve during this sunny year. The domains of Pessac-Leognan also produced a successful vintage. On the right bank of the Garonne, success is unquestionable, starting with Pomerol, which has produced a historical gem of a vintage. Merlots wines offer a unique level of perfection, delivering racy juices both in depth and delicacy. Saint-Emilion wines are also outstanding. A vintage that brings the magnificent trilogy of 2018, 2019, and 2020 to a close.
The dry white wines lack the pedigree and depth of other years. They do, however, preserve a nice freshness and brightness. Sauvignon grapes were not as aromatic as in 2019, but the Semillon were full of aroma and fully contribute to the blends by bringing extra mellowness to the textures.
The sweet wines prove to be adequate in view of the particularly trying weather conditions faced by the winemakers. These wines tend to be delicate, and less concentrated, but still have a pleasant balance. Nevertheless, the finest Sauternes and Barsac wines provide excellent balance and beautiful aromas, without achieving the depth of the best years.
