2020 Chateau Bourgneuf - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 93 pts – GH: *Gorgeous nose, so expressive with tobacco, dark chocolate, blackcurrants and roses. Ripe and juicy, this has a lovely energy to it, but also quite a mouthcoating tannic frame, fine but firm, well integrated but definitely present and giving the focus right now while the plum, fig, pomegranate and black cherry flavours slowly expand outwards. This has a glamour to it, a shiny side, while still being relatively knitted down. I love the juicy core, it’s so bright and vibrant, but it is being overshadowed by the tannins and the almost dry, cedar edges that linger on the tongue, giving a sharpness and bitterness. Lovely complexity though with nuance and the detail. Well delivered with polish but needs more time.* - 01/2023

Falstaff Magazin – (91-93) pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Feine Nuancen von Nougat und Kardamom, ein Hauch von Edelholz, schwarze Kirschen, zart nach Lakritze und frischer Orangenzeste. Komplex, saftig, süße Brombeerfrucht, kräftige Tannine, mineralisch im Abgang, schokoladig im Nachhall, ein feinwürziger Speisenbegleiter.* - 05/2021

Vinum Magazin – 16/20pts: *Die fruchtige, an Brombeere erinnernde Aromatik und die saftige Textur entschädigen für das noch etwas harsche Tannin, das mehr Schliff nötig hat, der Alkohol ist spürbar, aber nicht störend, das Finale fruchtig.* - 09/2021

WeinWisser – 18,5/20pts – GL, TW: *Verhaltener Beginn, zarte schwarzbeerige Konturen, Baumnuss und dominikanischer Tabak, dahinter dunkles Malz und Zedern. Am burschikosen Gaumen mehlige Extraktfülle, feinspröde, stützende Rasse und mächtiger Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale verschlankt sich der Pomerol und endet mit kleinen schwarzen Beeren, dunkler Terroirwürze und sandiger Adstringenz. Hier heißt es Geduld bewahren. Trinkfenster wurde nach hinten angepasst. Gehört schon seit Jahren zu unseren «Hot Buys».* – 03/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 16/20pts – JR: *Deep crimson. Really fresh – much less obviously sweet and opulent than a typical Pomerol. Rich and lively. Nice wine even if not for very long ageing. Flattering without being too sweet. Smart, clean, medium finish.* - 04/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 94-95pts - JS: *A dense, sexy red with blackberry, black-truffle and bark character with a full body, chewy tannins and loads of structure at the end. Lovely, ripe tannins. Fresh on the finish.* - 05/2021

Vinous.com – 94 pts – AG: *The 2020 Bourgneuf is another terrific wine from the Vayron family. Rich and quite deep, Bourgneuf is a heady Pomerol in 2020, but never abandons its essential classicism. Sumptuous dark-fleshed fruit, spice, chocolate and dried flowers are all dialed up. Readers who have known Bourgneuf for years may find the 2020 a bit over the top. I am really interested to see where this direction goes.* - 12/2022

Vinous.com – 93 pts – NM: *The 2020 Bourgneuf has closed up a little on the nose post-bottling: blackberry, graphite, subtle loamy aromas and just a whiff of sea spray. Fine delineation and commendable complexity. The palate is medium-bodied, quite structured and perhaps more "serious" than its showing from barrel. Generous helpings of cracked black pepper enliven the second half, firm grip with a very nicely proportioned finish. This is an excellent Bourgneuf that should give 20+ years of drinking pleasure.* - 12/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (91-93) pts – JL: *With a dark hue the wine is silky, rich, lush and supple. Medium-bodied with an earthy, cocoa-infused, ripe, deep plum character, the long finish is already displaying its chocolate tinged, black cherries, plum, spice, espresso and licorice character. Give it some time to develop additional complexities in the cellar before pulling the cork.* - 05/2021